Rockford Celebrates MLK Weekend with Unity Events

Rockford is rolling out the welcome mat this weekend for anyone wanting to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of bringing people together.

The festivities kick off Saturday, January 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Church of God in Christ on Bishop Washington Avenue. Pastor Maurice West Sr. will share words of inspiration as the community gathers to remember Dr. King's vision of unity and peaceful change.

The celebration continues Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at the Nordlof Center downtown on North Main Street. David Scott Jr., president of the NAACP Youth Council Rockford, will speak alongside Rev. George Scott, president of Rockford's NAACP chapter.

The weekend brings together three powerful community pillars: the NAACP, Rockford Ministers Fellowship, and the Rockford Public Library. Their collaboration shows exactly what Dr. King preached about: different groups working together toward common goals.

The Ripple Effect

These celebrations do more than honor history. They create spaces where neighbors can connect across differences, where young people like David Scott Jr. can see themselves as leaders, and where Dr. King's dream becomes a lived reality rather than just a memory.

Rockford's weekend events prove that communities still hunger for unity in challenging times. When local organizations join forces to celebrate shared values, they remind everyone that progress happens when people choose to gather rather than divide.

Anyone interested can get more details by calling 815-721-0433 or emailing Ehunti@yahoo.com. The events are free and open to all who want to honor Dr. King's legacy by showing up and connecting with their community.