MLK Weekend Events Around Akron
Rev. Dr. MLK Celebration Day Coalition
The MLK Celebration Day Coalition in Akron holds an annual event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor Dr. King's legacy and promote community engagement. For the 2025 event, held at First Congregational Church, the theme was "Protect, Educate, and Nurture Our Children" and featured speakers, musical performances, and the presentation of MLK scholarships in partnership with the Akron Branch NAACP. The celebration is a long-standing tradition in Akron, focused on empowering youth and upholding King's principles of justice and equality.
Time: 4pm
Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
Location: First Congregational Church | 292 E Market St, Akron, OH 44308
MLK Male Youth Summit '26
The MLK Male Summit is a dynamic experience designed to equip young men ages 11–17 with real-life tools they can use every day. Taking place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Akron Urban League, this event creates a safe, empowering space to learn, ask questions, and build confidence.
Participants will take part in interactive workshops focused on:
Effective Communication: Learn how to express yourself clearly, listen with purpose, and handle difficult conversations with confidence.
Nonviolent Conflict Resolution: Discover ways to manage anger, de-escalate situations, and make smart choices when tensions rise.
Police Interaction Training: Hear directly from local officers on how to stay safe, respectful, and calm during police encounters—while understanding your rights.
This isn’t just another program. It’s a space to grow, connect, and step into your power.
Time: 8am Breakfast | 9am Workshops | 12pm Lunch
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Location: Akron Urban League | 440 Vernon Odom Blvd, Akron, OH 44307
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture - The 41st Anniversary Year
Akron-Summit County Main Library Commemorates 41 years of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture Series in 2026. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture is brought to you by the Akron-Summit County Public Library and the Eta Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
The 2026 speaker is Jelani Cobb—Columbia Journalism School Dean, Peabody Award-winning journalist, and one of today's most compelling voices on race, justice, and American democracy.
Through his groundbreaking work as a staff writer for The New Yorker, and as a correspondent for PBS Frontline documentaries "Policing the Police and Whose Vote Counts," Dr. Cobb confronts the urgent challenges of racial inequality, voting rights, and policing with intellectual rigor and moral clarity. His powerful insights are drawn from his deep experience as a historian, journalist, and public intellectual—blending storytelling with scholarship to illuminate the past and chart a path toward a more just future.
This is a free event. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors to the auditorium will open at 1:30 pm.
Time: 2:00pm
Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
Location: Akron-Summit County Main Library Auditorium | 60 S. High St, Akron, OH 44308
Akron Urban League 2026 MLK Breakfast
The Akron Urban League invites you to join the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron/Fairlawn for a morning of reflection, inspiration, and collective action.
This year’s theme, "A Time to Break Silence", is grounded in Dr. King’s powerful reminder: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” In a moment when our voices, values, and leadership are needed more than ever, this gathering will challenge us to speak boldly, act courageously, and recommit ourselves to justice, equity, and opportunity for all.
Returning will be Rev. Dr. Eric George Vickers, Sr. as the Keynote Speaker. Many in the community still remember the dynamic and moving address Dr. Vickers delivered at last year’s MLK Breakfast. His return promises an equally compelling—and timely—message that you will not want to miss. Join community leaders, advocates, partners, and neighbors as we honor the legacy of Dr. King and renew our shared commitment to breaking silence and creating change.
Time: Doors - 7:30am | Breakfast Begins - 8:30am
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Location: The Double Tree by Hilton | 3180 W Market St, Akron, OH 44333
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Akron Zoo
Visit the zoo to celebrate the life and work of Dr. King for racial equality and nonviolent social change. The Akron Zoo will be opening a temporary exhibit, Celebrating Black History in Perkins Woods. The exhibit shares little-known Black history that took place in the area that surrounds and includes the Akron Zoo.
Admission to the zoo is free for all guests. Visits to the exhibit are included with admission.
Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Location: Akron Zoo | 500 Edgewood Ave, Akron, OH 44307
Free Museum Admission & Activities on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Akron Art Museum will be open and FREE to all.
View artwork with a specially designed gallery guide, spend time with friends and family playing games in the lobby, and pop into the auditorium to enjoy the New York International Children's Film Festival's Celebrating Black Stories short films.
Time: 11:00am - 5:00pm
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Location: Akron Art Museum | 1 South High Street Akron, OH 44308
Rev. Dr. MLK Celebration Day Coalition
The MLK Celebration Day Coalition in Akron holds an annual event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor Dr. King's legacy and promote community engagement. The Wilberforce University Chorus will be featured as a continuation of The MLK Celebration Day Coalition's efforts to commemorate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as raise monies towards scholarship.
Time: 3:30pm
Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
Location: First United Methodist Church | 263 E. Mill Street, Akron, OH 44308
