Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission of Florida, Inc.

Greetings!

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc. I would like to thank you for visiting our website. Since 1984, we have celebrated the life, commemorated the death, and recognized the achievements of this great American in Gainesville/Alachua County, Florida. Our mission is to continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by advocating and promoting nonviolently, the elimination of poverty and racism in Gainesville/Alachua County and the State of Florida.

This year we are celebrating a milestone as we celebrate our 40^th Year Anniversary King Celebration, January 7-15, 2024, in Gainesville, Alachua County Florida. This year’s Theme is: “King Commission: 40 Years of Legacy.”  The highlight of King Celebration 2024 is the 39th Annual Hall of Fame GALA, Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the University of Florida Hilton Hotel. The GALA Reception is at 5:30 p.m. and Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. This year’s Keynote speaker is Justice Alexander, IB Senior, Eastside High School and the 2024 Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award Recipient. This year’s Hall of Fame Award Recipient is the Honorable Rodney J. Long, President, Founder, Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc. I am honored and humbled to be nominated to receive the Martin Luther King, Jr., Hall of Fame Award. As Founder and President of the MLK Commission over 40 Years ago, I am proud of what we have accomplished as a community when it comes to Living and Demonstrating the Deeds and Principles of Nonviolent Social Change in Gainesville/Alachua County, Florida.

Over the decades we have accomplished much including completion of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Gardens located in Downtown Gainesville. Established the Martin Luther King, Jr., Hall of Fame that recognizes local citizens who have demonstrated and espoused those principles and deeds of Dr. King. Established the Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award and the Joseph “Joel” Buchanan Drum Major for Justice Scholarship Award in honor of our founding board members who were educators. To date, we have given over $500,000 in scholarships to high school seniors.

We are committed to fighting for justice and equality in policing, criminal justice reform, economic justice, environmental justice, voter suppression, racial, housing, and educational equity. We salute our younger social justice reformers who are standing on the front lines and speaking out against police brutality and the inequities people of color.

In closing, we would like to thank our many supporters including our government entities, corporate partners, community and civic organizations, business and faith organizations and elected and appointed officials for helping us to Reclaim the Dream of Dr. King. We look forward to your participation in our 40^th Anniversary King Celebration Events January 7-15, 2024. As always, I am