19th Annual MLK Jr. Holiday Celebration

2026 Theme: “We need leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice; not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity.”

August 11, 1956, Buffalo, New York; 50^th Anniversary of

Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc.

WHEN:     Monday, January 19, 2026,   9am – 12:30pm,  In-Person 9 – 10am @ de la Guerra Plaza morning program 10am Unity March Up State Street,  11am – 12:30 pm MLKSB Program at Arlington Theatre

WHERE:       de la Guerra Plaza, 20 E. de la Guerra St., Santa Barbara, 93101

                      Program: Arlington Theatre, 1317 State Street, SB  93101

Free-Donations welcome

2026’s Theme: We need leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice; not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity.  This quote serves as the over-arching theme for the weekend.  The students use it as the subject of the Poetry and Essay Contest, as does the Keynote Speaker.

This year’s Keynote Speaker is the remarkable Leah Weber King, widow of Dexter Scott King, daughter-in-law of Dr. King and Coretta Scott King, will feature the theme in her speech as well. A member of Dr. King’s family speaking here is a remarkable opportunity for the community to experience her.  Having Leah join us for the celebration of her father-in-law, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is so extraordinary. MLKSB is bringing the best speakers and local performers together for the good of the community.

Beginning the holiday with the Morning Program overseen by MLKSB Board member Isaac Garrett, begins at 9:00am at de la Guerra Plaza with an opening prayer by Mia Lopez Leader of the Family of Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation.  Connie Anderson will deliver a topical speech on the theme.  A selection of students reading their top awarded poems and essays in the younger age group (6-12 years old) is sure to give you hope for the future. Janet Reineck of World Dance for Humanity will lead the crowd out onto State Street for the Unity March, which starts at 10am and joyfully heads up to the Arlington Theatre where the participants will be greeted by music from David Gorospe Productions.

An insightful 90-minute program begins at 11am. JoAnne Meade Young will serve as MC. The program will feature a dynamic Keynote Speaker, Leah Weber King, who is known for her ongoing reflections on art, culture and legacy shared through her personal digital platform.

Secondary students (13–18 years old) who placed in the top three spots will be on stage to recite their inspiring poems and essays at the Arlington Theatre. Wendy Sims-Moten will lead the crowd in “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” considered the Black National Anthem.  Wendy is a member of the group Shelter described as “a high-energy group of seasoned musicians who perform R&B classics from the 1950s up to the present. Shelter includes Ron Paris (vocals), Julie Carlson (keyboards) and Antoine Richardson (drums).

Returning for another year, Sese Ntem drummer, leads the five-member group sharing the songs and rhythms of the Ewe people of Togo, Ghana and Benin in West Africa. Members are Adam Cote, Leslie Cunningham, Barbara Korse and Rick Schaffer. Ewe songs reflect their deep relationship with the land, the divine, their ancestors and with each other. Described as a living tradition, Ewe culture and spiritual wisdom is not written down and codified in a fixed dogma because it reflects the present moment where time and eternity coexist.