Skip to main content

Celebrity Co-Chairs Announced for Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication

buzzz worthy. . .

Top Entertainers Join VIP Participants to Celebrate the Dream

Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Berry Gordy, Jr., George Lucas, Jamie Foxx and Clarence Avant will serve as celebrity co-chairs for the Dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. next month. The Memorial, the first on the National Mall to honor a man of peace, hope, and color, will be dedicated on August 28 in a West Potomac Park ceremony on the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech.

Members of the King Family, civil rights leaders including Congressman John Lewis, Ambassador Andy Young, Reverend Al Sharpton, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Reverend Joseph Lowery, and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will play a role in several events in the nation’s capital to celebrate the Memorial’s dedication August 24 through 28. Former Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, General Colin Powell, Tom Brokaw, Maya Angelou, Alpha Phi Alpha General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., Tommy Hilfiger, General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson, leaders of the faith-based community and more will participate in Dedication Week events. President Barack Obama will deliver remarks during the August 28 Dedication Ceremony.

“We deeply appreciate the support of Stevie, Aretha, Berry, George, Jamie, and Clarence, leaders from the entertainment community, who believe in and portray Dr. King’s universal messages of democracy, hope, justice, and love,” said Harry E. Johnson, Sr., president and CEO of the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. “The Dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial has been long-awaited, and people from around the world are coming to experience this tremendous, historic moment. We are excited to welcome them all.”

The General Motors Foundation and Chevrolet will serve as the Dedication Chair and Dedication Co-Chair is The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation. Dedication Vice Chairs include Aetna, Boeing, BP, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, GE McDonalds, Travelers, and Wal-Mart Stores.


The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial will be dedicated on August 28 at 11 a.m. A pre-dedication program will commence at 8:45 a.m. and a post-dedication concert will follow the ceremony. Dedication Week events include:
· Honoring Global Leaders for Peace International Salute Gala: In celebration of Dr. King’s quest for worldwide equality and peace and in tribute to international leaders who share that commitment.

· Honoring Past, Present Future Pioneers Civil Rights Pioneers Luncheon: In recognition of those who dared to stand with Dr. King, those who dare to stand for the dream today, and those who dare future generations to continue to stand for social justice and equality.

· Partners in the Dream Public Expo: Information booths, performances, and a tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., free and open to the public.

· The Message in the Music Concert of Civil Rights Era Music: Entertainment artists will perform legendary sounds of the Civil Rights Movement inspiring hope, strength, and change.

· Women Who Dare to Dream Luncheon Honoring Women Civil Rights Leaders: Honoring the women of the Civil Rights Movement whose legacy of strength and dignity continues to inspire hope and special tribute to Coretta Scott King.

· Interfaith Prayer Service: In recognition of faith as a guiding source for Dr. King’s mission, life, and legacy.

· Dream Keepers Encouraging Future Leaders Youth Symposium: Afternoon forum inspiring youth to spread Dr. King’s universal, timeless messages and to live to their potential.

· The Celebration Dream Gala: A gala salute and momentous celebration honoring those whose support has made the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial a reality.



Popular posts from this blog

Alabama Pastor Shot and Killed in Domestic Incident

Pastor Da’Quarius Green , a 31-year-old leader of Elba Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Alabama, was shot on Dec. 23, 2025 and died several days later in the hospital after a domestic dispute at his home in Level Plains . Authorities have described the shooting as a “domestic incident” involving his wife,  𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐲. Local news station WTVY reported "c ourt records show that Green was arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence charges 3 times in Houston County last year, with each of those cases dismissed. Also in 2024, a woman filed a protection order against Green in Houston County in which she believed him to be a danger," but did not confirm Mrs. Massey as the suspect.    Various reports indicate the couple's children were present when he was shot in the head.   In one instance, a woman who shared children with Green alleged that he repeatedly struck her , including once when she was pregnant. The sitution appears to be shaping int...

NEWLYWEDS: Bishop Marvin Winans weds after 30 years

  By Mona Austin One of the most eligible bacherlors in Christianity has tied the knot - Marvin Winans remarries After being single for almost 30 years, legendary gospel singer and Bishop Marvin L. Winans, Sr. has wed his long time girlfriend Deneen R. Carter. Carter is a 57-year-old physical therapist and minister at Perfecting Church in Detroit, founded by Winans. Little is known about the bride publicly. The gospel legend introduced the now Mrs. Winans as his fiance to the congregants of Perfecting in October of 2021. The couple had been in a relationship for 15 years. Pastor Winans was previously married to fellow gospel singer Vicki Winans (with whom he has two sons) for 16 years before they divorced in 1995. Held at the Colony Club in Detroit, MI, on April 22, the wedding was officiated by fellow COGIC Bishop Darrell Hines. "Let their lives be full of joy as they live according to your word," he prayed. If we are judging by floral count, this could be one of th...

U.S. Murder Offenders by Race: 2023 FBI Data

  Data on murders (homicides) committed by race in the United States primarily comes from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, which relies on reports from law enforcement agencies. The most recent detailed breakdown available is for 2023, but due to the FBI's transition to a new reporting system (NIBRS), not all agencies submitted complete data—only about 70-80% of the population was covered, so totals are undercounts. These figures represent known offenders (where race was identified), not arrests or convictions, and include single-offender and multi-offender incidents. In 2023, there were approximately 15,708 known murder offenders with identified race. Here's the breakdown: Race Number of Offenders Percentage of Known Offenders Rate per 100,000 Population White 8,842 56.3% 3.51 Black or African American 6,405 40.8% 14.00 Other (American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) 461 2.9% 1.31 Notes on the...