January 12, 2023

Many will gather to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and the strength of love in Downtown Springfield on Monday, January 16, 2023. This will be the nation’s 40th holiday celebrating King’s Birthday and acknowledging his contributions to the U.S. Civil Rights movement. To mark the holiday, NAACP Springfield is hosting its annual MLK March and Program in Downtown Springfield.

The 2023 NAACP MLK March & Program will begin at Jordan Valley Park. Attendees can arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. on January 16 and the march will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Attendees will march from the park to the Gillioz Theatre for the program. The theme for this year’s event is The Strength of Love. During this celebration there will be entertainment, music, readings and more. In partnership with SPS, the MLK essay winners will also be announced during the program.

Proceeding the march on Monday, the Moxie Cinema is showing a free screening of SELMA (2014) on Saturday, January 14 at 1 p.m., sponsored by the Springfield Sigma Nu Lambda Alumi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Set in 1965, the film follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he leads a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The march from Selma to Montgomery culminates in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.

For more information about the events, you can email info@naacpspringfieldmo.org.