Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with these 8 events in central Iowa for 2023

Central Iowa, alongside the rest of the nation, celebrates the life and legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the coming week. The federal holiday is held the Monday after King's Jan. 15 birthday and will be acknowledged with prayer breakfasts, volunteer opportunities and more that take place on Jan. 16 to honor the Nobel Prize recipient.

The Beloved Community’s MLK celebration

The Beloved Community’s MLK Celebration plans to honor Dr. Martin Luther King with a day of service led by Dr. Brian Brown and Pastor Jon Anenson. ESPN sports analyst Sam Acho will be the featured keynote speaker for the event that also touts a musical performance by Bridges to Harmony and the Genesis Youth Foundation, among other area performers.

A food drive, collecting non-perishable goods, will also be part of the event. The service will be followed by a book signing and to-go meals provided to those in attendance.

Time: Jan. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ticket Information: Free

Location: Hope + Elim Church, 2500 University Ave., Des Moines

Memorial Union’s MLK Day creative activities

The Memorial Union in Ames will be providing a day of free activities, including creating freedom quilt squares and MLK coloring pages in honor of MLK Day. The programming will take place in the Memorial Union's Workspace in the east basement of the building.

Free parking for the event can be found at the Memorial Union ramp adjacent to the building.

Time: Jan. 16 from10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ticket Information: Free

Location: Workspace in ISU’s Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way, Ames

Iowa Department of Human Rights 34th annual MLK celebration

The Iowa Department of Human Rights hosts its annual celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan.16. The free event occurs at 10:45 a.m. and can be viewed on the Department of Human Rights Facebook page.

Time: 10:45 a.m. on Jan. 16

Ticket Information: Free

Location: Facebook.com/IowaDeptHumanRights/

City of West Des Moines MLK Day community celebration

In collaboration with the West Des Moines Human Rights Commission, the City of West Des Moines will host a free event celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The afternoon begins at 3:30 p.m. with a multi-cultural reception hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Then Jay Byers, the CEO and president of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, will kick off the event at 4:30 p.m. with welcoming remarks.

This will be followed by a variety of other speakers, including West Des Moines mayor Russ Trimble, West Des Moines Community Schools’ executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion Dr. Dau Jok and West Des Moines director of diversity Audrey Kennis.

Appetizers and beverages will be served at the event. Residents are also encouraged to help package meals for area residents in recognition of the National Day of Service that same day. Volunteers will be active from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Meals from the Heartland, located at 357 Lincoln St. in West Des Moines.

For special accommodations or language assistance, email allison.ullestad@wdm.iowa.gov.

Time: Roundtable discussions begin at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 16 and require registration at wdm.iowa.gov. The program runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Ticket Information: This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Location: MidAmerican Energy Co. RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines

Forest Library’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance

Jacquie Easley McGhee — the division director for health equity, diversity and inclusion at MercyOne — will speak during Des Moines Public Library’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. McGhee’s speaking time will be preceded by an introduction from Des Moines Public Library director Susan A. Woody and followed by Q&A with McGhee.

All ages are invited to this event, which will include refreshments.

Time: 4 p.m. on Jan. 16

Ticket Information: Free

Location: Forest Avenue Library, 1326 Forest Ave., Des Moines

Ames/Story County community MLK Day celebration

Join the City of Ames for a free, hybrid in-person and virtual MLK Day program expected to run for one hour. The evening’s program will include Anita Rollins, who is Ames' first Black councilwoman and who managed Iowa State University’s Science Bound program for more than two decades, as the keynote speaker. This year also marks the third annual essay writing contest that commemorates Dr. King’s work in pursuit of racial equity. Eleven students will be recognized for their essays.

In-person attendees are encouraged, but not required, to wear masks and social distance. A virtual stream of the program will be available on Facebook and YouTube.

Time: Jan. 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Ticket Information: This event is free to attend in person or virtually.

Location: Ames City Auditorium, 520 Sixth St., Ames (north side of City Hall)

YMCA prayer breakfast

The YMCA’s 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. prayer breakfast will take place in Drake University’s Knapp Center at 2601 Forest Ave. on Monday morning.

The event will feature Dr. Robert D. Bullard, an author and professor known as “The Father of Environmental Justice,” as a keynote speaker for the event which promises to promote King’s activism and fight for righteousness.

Make A Difference Awards will also honor community members Dr. Mary Chapman, Sgt. Bernell Edwards and Ania Ewing for help making central Iow a stronger and more inclusive community.

Time: Jan. 16, 7:30 a.m.

Registration: Register for this free event at dmymca.org.

Location: Drake University Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Ave., Des Moines

Martin Luther King Jr. scavenger hunt

Though Des Moines Public Libraries will generally be closed in observance of MLK Day, Central Library will be hosting a fun activity for kids the following Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Children at the library only need to visit the Youth Section at Central Library and ask to participate in the scavenger hunt to be given instructions for this educational activity.

Time: All day Jan. 17, 18 and 19

Ticket Information: Free

Location: Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines

Isaac Hamlet covers arts, entertainment and culture at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at ihamlet@gannett.com or 319-600-2124, follow him on Twitter @IsaacHamlet.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Celebrate MLK Day with these eight events in central Iowa for 2023