July 10, 1954. It was a hot, 80 degrees, and Charlotteans had many things to celebrate. It was opening day for Douglas Municipal Airport (now known as Charlotte Douglas International Airport). Several months later, it became the backdrop for Martin Luther King Jr.'s first recorded trip to the Queen City.
Some time before the National Baptist Convention in September 1954, King departed from Charlotte’s new passenger terminal with Kelly Alexander, Sr., a Charlotte native and President of the North Carolina National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The civil rights leader later returned to Charlotte, speaking at the Charlotte Park Center (now known as the Grady Cole Center) on Sept. 25, 1960. He gave an early version of the historic “I Have a Dream Speech” before speaking at a convocation of Black high schools in Charlotte in May 1963. A few months later, he delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963.
Three years later on Sept. 21, 1966, he spoke to thousands of people at Johnson C. Smith University about his opposition to the war in Vietnam.
King was scheduled to return once again to the Queen City but, as events escalated in Memphis, TN, his plans changed. A telegram was sent to Charlotte civil rights leader Dr. Reginald Hawkins, outlining the change of plans and a promise to reschedule. But another visit didn’t come. He was assassinated on Apr. 4, 1968.
Here are events celebrating and honoring King’s work across Charlotte:
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service | Wednesday, Jan. 15 | 12 p.m. | Marshall Park | Free | Commemorate the life of the civil rights leader during this annual wreath-laying ceremony.
MLK Day Parade | Saturday, Jan. 18 | 9:30 a.m. | Tryon Street, Uptown | Free | Watch more than 100 community organizations, marching bands, and step and drill teams march in Uptown.
Bridging Musical Worlds: A Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Sunday, Jan. 19 | 4 p.m. | Friendship Missionary Baptist Church | $10 | This annual performance features Charlotte Strings Collective, UNC Charlotte’s Music Department, the Charlotte Folk Society, and more.
31st Annual McCrorey YMCA MLK Holiday Celebration | Monday, Jan. 20 | 8 a.m. | Charlotte Convention Center | Cost of purchase | Listen as keynote speaker Ricky Price delivers an inspiring talk, followed by music, dance, and prayer.
MLK Day at Gantt Center: Designing the Future | Monday, Jan. 20 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Harvey B. Gantt Center | Free | Watch an animated film, get creative with drop-in art activities, and take part in discussions regarding the legacy of Dr. King.
MLK Day of Service Community Cleanups | Monday, Jan. 20 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Various locations | Free | Join other volunteers and new friends at any of the four different cleanups happening throughout the Queen City.
MLK Day 2025 | Monday, Jan. 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Levine Museum of the New South | Free | Bring the family for a day filled with stories, crafts, and live musical performances.
