Honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy at these Nevada events
Martin Luther King Jr.’s peaceful message takes center stage at a variety of MLK Day events in Nevada, including a grand parade, a 5k run, and a day of service.
When the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade debuted on Jackson Avenue in Las Vegas in 1982, there were only 13 entries.
Now, the MLK Day celebration is one of the biggest parades west of the Mississippi, with 244 entries expected for the 44th annual event in downtown Las Vegas on January 19, including diverse groups from 15 U.S. states—all to honor the legacy and birthday of Dr. King.
For Wendell P. Williams, president and founder of the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Las Vegas, it isn’t a day off, but a day on. “We celebrate, honor, and act,” he says, noting, “act is the key word … taking action … to bring Dr. King’s message to light.”
Williams knows a lot about action. The former Democratic Assemblyman played an instrumental role in making MLK Day a state holiday in 1987. A bill he co-sponsored passed the state senate by a 21-5 vote and was signed into law by then-Nevada Governor Richard H. Bryan.
The parade predates the state holiday, and this year it comes full circle. The original grand marshall of the inaugural parade, Gov. Bryan, rode on a float with Helen Aileen Anderson-Toland, the first black and female principal hired in the Clark County School District. “They’re riding together again this year,” says Williams.
This year’s grand marshals are Judge Belinda T. Harris, Chief Judge of North Las Vegas, and Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director of the ACLU of Nevada. Junior Grand Marshalls are La’Rell Wysinger and Miley Nobles. A newer addition to the parade, junior grand marshals were incorporated to motivate and encourage youth involvement.
“When young people see other young people [participating] they want to emulate them,” says Williams, adding, “with all the turbulence going on in the country right now, young people … they’ve heard us talking about the things my generation endured … now they see it.”
You can meet the junior grand marshals during the MLK Jr. Week Kickoff Mixer from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 14 at Horseshoe Las Vegas. The parade and the mixer are just a couple of events taking place throughout the Silver State for MLK Day 2026.
From panel discussions to days of service, read on to learn about more MLK Day events in Las Vegas and Reno.
Las Vegas
King Week Las Vegas
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade is just one part of a week of motivational and inspiring events put on by the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Las Vegas. King Week Las Vegas includes a panel discussion, a tech summit, a food truck festival, a scholarship banquet, a wealth conference, an interfaith service, and a fundraiser. Here’s a look at what to expect:
Ultimate Measure of a Man Panel Discussion
This free father and sons panel discussion, presented by Sumnu Marketing Founder Shaundelle Newsome, kicks off at 4 p.m. on Jan. 15 at the new West Las Vegas Library, 1861 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., with networking and food. Moderated by Kyle West and Pastor Kelcey West, the discussion begins at 5 p.m. Panelists are Craig Knight and Bubba Knight, Quincy Branch and Aubrey Branch, and LJ Edmonson.
Tech Queen’s Annual MLK Tech Summit
A private, invitation-only event at Desert Shores Lakeside on Jan. 16, the Tech Queen’s MLK Technology Summit is for high school students and out-of-school youth who are passionate about pursuing tech careers in areas such as software development and cybersecurity. The summit enables them to network with qualified tech professionals and mentors.
Taste the Dream: Food Truck Festival and Community Resource Fair
This takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Historic Westside School, 330 W. Washington Ave.
44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Banquet
Buy a ticket ($150) or a table of 10 ($1,500) for the 44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Banquet at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., in the Mardi Gras Ballroom on Jan. 17. Cocktails are at 6 p.m. Banquet begins at 7 p.m.
MLK Scholarship Summit
The MLK Scholarship Summit takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The location is yet to be announced.
The Millionaire Wealth Mindset Conference
Presented by We Pay it Forward, The Millionaire Wealth Mindset Conference is a full-day experience for more than 3,000 ambitious entrepreneurs on Jan. 18. The event at the Thomas & Mack Center will host speakers including:
- International speaker and educator Marquetta Deville
- Entrepreneur and philanthropist King Jermaine Jones
- Sumnu Marketing founder Shaundell Newsome
- Award-winning storytelling strategist Elias Benjelloun
- InspireWorks HR Founder Dr. Melvin King and Senior HR Strategist Tiffany Ward
- Tourism Business Igniter leader Jon Stevenson
Tickets to the conference range from $197 to $1,111.
Interfaith Service
Details to be announced.
44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Tens of thousands of spectators will gather on Jan. 19 for the 44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade to watch the floats, motorcycles, performers, political figures, and celebrities make their way down Fourth Street, from Gass Avenue to Ogden Avenue, starting at 10 a.m. This year’s parade theme is “Living the Dream – Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future.”
Young Dreamers Awards
Students with exceptional character will be honored at the Young Dream Awards at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Second Baptist Church, 500 W. Madison Ave. Students were selected from each grade at 24 CCSD elementary schools named after local Black leaders.
Jazz Night Fundraiser
Help raise money for the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Las Vegas and enjoy a night of live music at the Jazz Night Fundraiser starting at 6 p.m. Jan. 24 inside the Prime Rib Loft, located inside the Orleans Hotel & Casino, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Thump of Thumpin’ Entertainment and violinist Bruce Kirkwood. Tickets range from $45 to $75, and all proceeds benefit the committee.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service Campaign
People of all ages are invited to help rejuvenate the student quad area at KO Knudsen Academy of the Arts, 2400 Atlantic Street, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday and legacy of service from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 25.
MLK Freedom Run
Lace up for the MLK Freedom Run at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 17. The 5K, 10K, and a half-marathon pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Reno
MLK Day of Service with Boys & Girls Club
Share MLK’s story, create marching signs, and take part in a freedom march from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Boys & Girls Club, 1090 Bresson Ave. Hosted by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Center for Student Engagement and the City of Reno, the event is for participants of all ages.
Planting for Kindness
Spread kindness to local seniors on MLK Day during Planting for Kindness from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the KC Rotunda on the UNR Campus. Participants get to enjoy free pizza while painting terra-cotta pots, planting flowers, and delivering plants to Atria Senior Living. This event is also hosted by the UNR Center for Student Engagement and the City of Reno.
38th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration Gala
The Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS) presents the 38th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration Gala at The Nugget Casino Resort at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 19. Tickets range from $75 to $100.
MLK National Day of Service
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada presents the MLK National Day of Service, an all-ages volunteer event and food drive from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia Street. There will be a raffle. Donations are encouraged.
40th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Interfaith Memorial Service
Community members of all religions will come together to pray during an interfaith memorial service at 4 p.m. Jan. 18 at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center, 925 Riverside Dr.
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