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2023 MLK Celebration Event
Still working on a date for 2023
Sacramento State - The University Union
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2022 Robert T. Matsui Community Service Award Honorees
Congratulations to Mertie and James Shelby who received the prestigious Robert T. Matsui Community Service Award at the 23rd Annual MLK Celebration. This was only the second time in the history of the award that the honor was bestowed on a married couple. Please join us in congratulating James and Mertie Shelby.
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2022 Keynote Speaker
Crystel Patterson is a mother to two beautiful boys, a Technology Consultant, and a self-published author.
In January 2021, she published her first children’s book, which kicked off her "Inspired to be..." children’s book series. The "Inspired to be..." book series seeks to spread Black inspiration to all children through stories based on the culture, experiences, and dreams of Black people. Each story in the series delivers a universal message that any child can relate to and is inspired by a real person so that children will have a point of reference and can say, "If they can do that, then so can I".
Crystel received her Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at UC Berkeley, but her outlook and experience around inspirational children’s literature for children comes solely from being a mother and a seeker of inspiration.
To learn more about the "Inspired to be…" series visit www.crystelpatterson.com
Click here to Sponsor the 2022 MLK Celebration Sacramento
2022 MLK Celebration Sacramento
The 2022 MLK Celebration live event will be back on Saturday, February 5, 2022 celebrating its 23rd by honoring and remembering the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2021, the MLK Celebration Committee, like everyone else, pivoted to an online event which was a huge success. However, nothing compares to celebrating when we all can be together.
Please join us in February 2022 to continue this Sacramento tradition as we continue to build bridges among our community, elected officials, clergy, nonprofits, students of all ages as we continue to create new paths for a better and brighter future for everyone.
We invite you to commemorate, celebrate and be educated at the 23rd anniversary event as we remember the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the tens of thousands of people who have fought and continue to fight for equality across the country.
On behalf of the MLK Celebration Committee, please stay safe and healthy!
2022 MLK Celebration Essay Contest
Congratulations to all the 9th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest winners. More than 100 essays were submitted for consideration. To read the winning essays, click here.
If you are interested in submitting an essay to the 10th annual MLK Essay Contest, please visit our website in September 2022 for all the details. You are eligible to submit an essay if you are a student in middle or high school and reside in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado, or Sutter County. The top prize for the 1st place essay is $500 for high school students and $250 for Middle School students. Learn more and view the contest rules. Thank you for our 2022 Essay Contest sponsors ABC10 and Bernice Bass de Martinez.