Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. Holiday Commission
City of Elyria
Kevin Brubaker
Mayor
131 Court Street, Suite 202
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone 440.326.1552
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9/2026
Contact: Regan L. Phillips, Chairperson
Email: rphillips@cityofelyria.org
Phone: 440-326-1552
“The Mountaintop Today”
40th Annual Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Day of Service Elyria, Ohio
The 40th Annual Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Day of Service will take place on Monday, January 19, 2026. As the community commemorates the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, this year’s theme is “The Mountaintop Today.”
The theme is inspired by Dr. King’s final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” in which he declared:
“We’ve got some difficult days ahead… But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop… I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.”
The 2026 keynote speaker will be Elyria native Rev. Thomas L. Bowen. Serving as Mistress of Ceremony is Tiffany Tarpley, News 5 Good Morning Cleveland anchor and reporter.
Day of Service Schedule — Monday, January 19, 2026
The day will begin with the Annual King Holiday Commemorative Walk, starting at Ely Square in downtown Elyria and concluding at Elyria High School, located at 600 West Avenue. Marchers are encouraged to line up by 10:00 a.m. The walk will depart promptly at 10:30 a.m. At 11:00 a.m., community members will gather in the Elyria High School Performing Arts Center for the 40th Annual Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community-Wide Celebration. This program will honor the life, legacy, and teachings of Dr. King.
The Elyria High School P.U.R.P.O.S.E. Reunion Choir will present a special musical tribute dedicated to Dr. King, under the direction of Pastor Gwendolyn Gilmore and Music Director Tommie D. Harris.
2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award Recipients
The Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission will present awards to outstanding leaders and organizations for their service and impact:
• P2R Training and Resource Center, Inc. — Cultural Award
• Mr. Troy Hill — Education Award
• Family Planning Services of Lorain County — Health Equity Award
• Ms. Monique West (RAISE-UP) — Social Justice Award
• Dekarion Wimberly — Youth Award
Day of Service Project
As part of the Day of Service, community members are encouraged to donate hoodies for unhoused individuals, in sizes Small through X-Large, which will be distributed throughout the community.
Following the program, attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments and explore a Community Resource Fair.
Additional Commemorative Events
The 2026 King Holiday commemorations will begin on Sunday, January 18, and continue through Tuesday, January 20, with events held in Elyria, Lorain, and Oberlin.
All events are open to the public. Fees will be charged only where noted on the 2026 County Holiday Calendar of Events.
The Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission warmly invites the entire community to join in honoring Dr. King’s legacy through service, reflection, and unity.
For further information, please contact Regan L. Phillips, Commission Chairperson at 440-326-1552