MLK CELEBRATION | CHARLESTON, SC - YWCA GREATER CHARLESTON

WE'RE ELIMINATING RACISM
with our annual MLK Celebration

Our inaugural MLK Celebration was one of the first national tributes of its kind. First held on January 15, 1972, this regional event has grown to encompass 10 days each January and is the largest MLK celebration in South Carolina.

Charleston's support for this tribute humbles us. Each year the 10-day event attracts thousands of celebrants from across the state. On MLK Day, an estimated 3,000 people cheer on nearly 200 bands, marchers, floats, and groups as the MLK Parade is televised live on the news. Along with the mayor of Charleston, nearly 700 community and business leaders attend the MLK Business and Professional Breakfast each year.

2021 MLK Celebration schedule

MLK Area Worship Services | Date & time to be announced (virtual)
MLK Racial Equity Institute Executive Session (new!) | Date & time to be announced (virtual) (see a description)
MLK Youth Poetry Slam | Date & time to be announced (virtual) (see the 2020 photos!)
MLK Ecumenical Service | Date & time to be announced (limited in-person attendance; primarily virtual) (see 2020 photos!)
MLK Parade | Date & time to be announced; to be held in person if permitted by the City (see the 2020 photos!)
MLK Summit (Breakfast) | Date & time to be announced (limited in-person attendance; primarily virtual) (see the photos!)
MLK Youth Summit | Date & time to be announced (virtual)

2020 MLK Celebration in the news

We appreciate the local media for covering the 2020 MLK Celebration! Below is a selection:

How Charleston Celebrates Martin Luther King Day
| Tribal Tribune, 02.11.20

MLK Day Parade [ replay of live parade coverage ]
| NBC WCBD News 2, 01.20.20

MLK Day Parade [ Burke High School band feature ]
| NBC WCBD News 2, 01.20.20

MLK Day Parade
| CBS WCSC Live 5 News, 01.20.20

2020 MLK Day Celebrations
| CBS WCSCLive 5 News, 01.20.20

MLK Celebration [ with YWCA.GC Executive Director LaVanda Brown ]
| ABC News 4 Lowcountry Live, 01.17.20

MLK Day Parade
| The Post and Courier, 01.17.20

MLK Celebration [ with YWCA.GC's Patrice Witherspoon ]
| Fox 24 News Now, 01.16.20

MLK Celebration [ with YWCA.GC Board Member Radia Heyward ]
| NBC WCBD News 2, 01.16.20

MLK Celebration Events
| The Post and Courier, 01.16.20

2020 MLK Celebration Honorees & Parade Marshal Announced
| LowcountryBizSC, 01.16.20

MLK Youth Poetry Slam
| Charleston City Paper, 01.15.20

YWCA.GC & The MLK Celebration [ with YWCA.GC's LaVanda Brown ]
| Quintin's Close-Ups, 01.14.20

MLK Celebration [ with YWCA.GC's LaVanda Brown ]
| WCSC CBS Bounce Around Charleston TV, 01.13.20

2020 MLK Celebration keynote speakers & theme announced
| Charleston Chronicle, 01.07.20

How you can help

If you own or lead an organization, please contact John to sponsor the 2021 MLK Celebration or advertise in the 2021 MLK program! This makes a huge difference in our fight to eliminate racism. There are a variety of sponsorship levels to choose from. We are grateful to our new 2021 MLK Celebration sponsors!

If you're an individual, please attend one or more of our MLK events — and invite your friends! Stay tuned to this page for all the most up-to-date schedule information.

We welcome volunteers to serve on our MLK Celebration committees! Let us know if you're interested here.

MLK CELEBRATION
keynote speaker

ANITA ZUCKER

This year's MLK Summit (formerly known as the MLK Business and Professional Breakfast) will be keynoted by noted philanthropist and business leader Anita Zucker.

The recipient of the 2019 Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award, 2019 James L. Fisher Distinguished Service Award, and 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, among many other honors, Anita Zucker is the chair and CEO of The InterTech Group, Inc.

Her philanthropic, advocacy, and community work includes leadership and membership positions on the boards and leadership committees of the College of Charleston, Addlestone Hebrew Academy, Porter Gaud, Ashley Hall, the MUSC Foundation, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the MUSC Neurosciences Department, Clemson University, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Trident Technical College, Tri-Country Cradle to Career Collaborative, Charleston Promise Neighborhood, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, the Coastal Community Foundation, Spoleto, and the Gaillard Management Corporation, among others. She proudly serves as a trustee at the University of Florida and as chair of the University of Florida Foundation. She is a passionate philanthropist and advocate for education.