This story has been updated.
San Antonio is preparing for a weekend-long slate of events leading into the 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. March on Monday, Jan. 19.
District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez said organizers aim not just to maintain the march’s reputation as the largest MLK march in the nation, but to deepen its impact for participants by focusing on youth engagement and community leadership.
“This year the task was to engage even more people and be even more intentional and more thoughtful about the takeaways that those who participate in the event will walk away with,” McKee-Rodriguez said in an interview Monday.
Leading up to the celebration is an MLK worship service at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 16, hosted by the New Baptist Ministers’ Union.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, the Freedom Bike Rider Fundraiser will raise funds for local initiatives while taking participants on a morning bike ride from MLK Park to Southside Lions Park and back.
Later that day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Youth Empowerment Summit will bring a community-rooted, youth-led celebration to MLK Park, located at 3503 Martin Luther King Drive. The summit will include breakout sessions, workshops, art, community activities, food and open gathering spaces designed for families and young people to engage with local organizations and resources. A keynote address from community activist Dieter Cantu will serve as the centerpiece of the summit.
“As a high school math teacher, I know and I’ve seen firsthand the talent, enthusiasm and the tenacity of the city’s youth, ” McKee-Rodriguez said. “I think the kids are gonna walk away from this summit feeling empowered, and I think those of us adults, officials and community leaders who are able to attend will take away just as much from the youth in terms of their ideas for our city.”
Additional events planned for MLK weekend include a wreath-laying ceremony at MLK Plaza on Sunday at 2 p.m. and a citywide interfaith worship service later that evening at 4:30 p.m. held at Friendship Baptist Church.
VIA will provide free bus service to the march on Monday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with pick up points at the Alamodome Lot C and St.Philip’s College; and drop off will be on MLK Drive, west of Upland Drive. Buses will return passengers to their original pick-up locations from noon to 3 p.m. from Pittman-Sulivan Park.
An early morning worship service will kick off day-of celebrations starting at 9 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the San Antonio Food Bank.
Participants can begin lining up as early as 7:30 a.m. before stepping off at 10 a.m. from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, located at 3501 Martin Luther King Drive. Marchers will travel roughly 2.5 miles along MLK Drive before finishing at Pittman-Sullivan Park.
Community members who are unable to march are invited to attend the morning praise and worship program from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Those with limited mobility can also view the march from the American Legion Fred Brock Post No. 828. Military veterans are invited to a coffee social at the American Legion post from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Following the march, programming at the park will include multicultural performances on a main stage, a health and wellness area, food and merchandise vendors, information booths and a designated youth area.
This year’s celebration will feature three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas as its keynote speaker.
She made history during the 2012 London Olympics at 16 when she became the first Black woman to win gold in the individual all-around gymnastics competition. She also became the first U.S. gymnast to receive both the individual all-around gold and team gold medals in a single Olympic Games.
McKee-Rodrgiuez said Douglas was selected because of her story as a record-breaking athlete and trailblazer in the sport who faced criticism over her natural hair while on the global stage.
“You know, people weren’t concerned about her skill and her talent and the amazing feats that she had achieved. They were instead concerned with her appearance, and I think that speaks to hair discrimination, and it speaks to the experience of Black women across the country and across the world,” he said. “She’s going to be a very timely insight into our experience and in the sport and generally just as a young woman in America right now.”
Douglas will deliver remarks and participate in a Q&A moderated by McKee-Rodriguez. Community members will have a chance to submit their questions for Douglas online.
In 2024, the march had to be canceled due to dangerous road conditions from extreme cold weather. Similar concerns arose last year but the march ultimately went on as planned. Mckee-Rodriguez said the march will take place this year rain or shine.
“We have a backup plan. We have everything in place,” McKee-Rodriguez said. “The only reason that the march would be canceled or postponed or any change would happen is if it is entirely unsafe for residents to travel to a location.”
