Johnson County offices closed Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
At its first meeting under new Chairman Mike Kelly, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed Jan. 16, 2023, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Johnson County.
Acting on behalf of the board, Chairman Kelly presented a proclamation to Jim Terrones, vice president of the NAACP of Overland Park, Leawood and Olathe.
The NAACP and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards Committee will host the 19th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards Dinner Monday, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton in Overland Park.
This year, MLK Day, which is a national holiday, falls on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. In observance of the holiday, Johnson County Government offices will be closed that Monday.
The civil rights legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
The MLK holiday is always near his birthday, which was Jan. 15, 1929. MLK Day annually celebrates the legacy of the slain civil rights leader, who would have been 94 this year. He was assassinated in Memphis nearly 55 years ago, on April 4, 1968.
MLK dedicated his life to the nonviolent struggle for equal justice. His iconic “I have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963 helped to inspire President John F. Kennedy to promote a civil rights bill after nearly 100 years of segregation.
A year later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. MLK received the Nobel Peace Prize that year. The Voting Rights Act became law the following year.
MLK spent time in the Kansas City area, too. He visited the metro at least six times, including stops at Sumner High School and Municipal Auditorium. He also spoke at Kansas State University in 1968, less than four months before his assassination.
If you’d like to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, check out the Johnson County Library’s MLK Day reading list.
Events and activities to honor MLK in Johnson County
A variety of Johnson County events – free to the public – are planned to honor MLK.
The City of Gardner will once again host its educational exhibit to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Jan. 13, and Monday, Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, 120 E. Main St.
The City of Prairie Village will have its 2nd Annual MLK Celebration at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Village Church, 5541 Mission Road.
A special Day of Service will take place Monday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Olathe Indian Creek Library, 16100 W. 135th St. Activities will commemorate MLK’s legacy through service projects for local nonprofit agencies.
On Tuesday, Jan. 17, MidAmerica Nazarene University has scheduled its 17th Annual MLK event, beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe.
You can also make a trip to the City of Overland Park’s recently improved Strang Park, which features inspiring words throughout the park from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The park, located at 88th and Farley, is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.