City outlines Martin Luther King Jr. celebration week events, scholarship awards and parade logistics

The City of Dallas Office of Community Care and Empowerment presented a schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. celebration week and described associated activities, scholarships and logistics to the Workforce Education and Equity Committee on Jan. 16.

Key events: Jessica Galsha, director of the Office of Community Care and Empowerment, said the week began with a candle-lighting ceremony at the MLK Center in partnership with a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and included a gala, a day of reflection and prayer, an MLK job fair in collaboration with Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, a youth multicultural showcase hosted by the city’s youth commission, an equity indicator symposium focused on environmental justice, and the annual MLK Day parade hosted with partner Help.

Scholarships and sponsorships: Galsha said scholarship awards for students this year totaled more than $22,000, supported by sponsorships and gala revenue rather than city general-fund allocations. Presenters named lead presenting sponsors including JVJ Management, Matthews, and H.J. Russell Company.

Parade route and logistics: Staff described the parade route and explained that city and event organizers are again using the route adopted last year (stepping off at Fair Park, traveling along Pennsylvania Avenue and returning on MLK Boulevard) because ongoing sidewalk and roadway construction on parts of MLK Boulevard makes the traditional route less accessible for spectators. Galsha said organizers are conducting outreach to businesses and residents affected by the route and working with the Office of Special Events and parade partner Help to publicize changes.

Communications and feedback: Committee members asked how staff collect participant feedback and noted a desire for broader outreach to ensure residents learn about events and services. Galsha said the MLK Community Center advisory board reviews post-event feedback and that staff use surveys and advisory-board input to adjust programming; she said the gala was recently reordered so the keynote address occurs before dinner, after earlier feedback that keynote speakers were appearing too late in the night.

Accessibility and outreach: Committee members asked about bilingual services and broader outreach; staff said bilingual services are built into partner contracts and that media partners and earned media are used to promote events. Committee members asked staff to provide a summary of the city’s communications plan and where the parade and event notices are posted.

The committee did not take any formal action on the briefing; staff requested continued partnership from council members for outreach and follow-up on public communication.