FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

31st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally - Monday, January 19, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

31st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally
Monday, January 19, 2026 | Lincoln, Nebraska

LINCOLN, NE — The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally invitesthe community to gather in person and virtually on Monday, January 19, 2026, for the 31st Annual MLK Youth Rally, taking place in the Centennial Room of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Student Union (14th & R Streets). The event will be livestreamed statewide and internationally.

This year’s theme, “The Audacity to Walk Together in Love,” is inspired by Dr. King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, lifting his call for dignity, equality, and freedom of the human spirit. The theme challenges participants to act with courage, persevere through adversity, and build the Beloved Community through love in action.

Organized annually by a diverse group of K–12 youth scholars, the Rally continues its long-standing mission:
“…the promotion of the life and dream of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and local civil rights leader Dr. Leola Bullock through positive youth action.”

Planning Committee member Becklin reflects on the theme:

“Audacity looks like continuing to work toward a goal while facing adversity, messing up, getting back up, and taking more steps toward success.”

Peter Ferguson, Lead Advisor and now in his 29th year supporting the Rally, adds:

“Each year, the planning team walks boldly toward its creation. This year, the committee is rallying around the words and actions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others who showed the audacity needed to build the Beloved Community. Every component lifts a purpose rooted in love.”

EVENT SCHEDULE — Monday, January 19, 2026

Location: Centennial Room, 2nd Floor, UNL Student Union (14th & R Street)

9:00–10:00 a.m. CST | CommUNITY Rally
Doors open at 8:45 a.m.
A live and lit, community-centered experience featuring music, storytelling, a photo booth, face painting by scholars from Westside High School (Omaha), line dancing, activities, and free children’s books courtesy of Rally Collaborator Supporter partner Linked2Literacy.

• 93.7 The Ticket (KNTK) will broadcast live from the Rally from 9:00 a.m.–Noon
• Virtual viewers may tune in beginning at 9:45 a.m. CST

10:00 a.m. CST | 31st Annual Call to Action Program
A fully youth-led program elevating joy, hope, and courage through original and adapted works, including:

• • Original youth pieces by Addison Olds, Rafa Ahmed, Harnoor Sidhu, Belinda Qiao, Moigen Boyd, Jr. and Max Graves
  • Spoken word, adaptive pieces and interactive storytelling from Afadil and Nawal Ahmed, Alexa Sutton and Becklin Dyson’s From the Floor
  • Reflection and reenactment including “April 4, 1968” by Kendyll Jackson
  • Rally CommUNITY Choir
  • Annual Belmont Community Civil Rights Book Project
  • Special guest message from the Junior Mayor of Statesboro, Georgia Jamersyn Hughes

WATCH LIVE

The Rally will be live-streamed via LNKTV Education, LNKTV YouTube, and the City of Lincoln Facebook, and broadcast on Lincoln cable access channels ALLO23 and Charter Spectrum 1303.

The livestream link will be available on mlkyouthrally.com on January 19.

MORE INFORMATION

📧 mlkyouthrally@gmail.com
🌐 www.mlkyouthrally.com

Social Media
• X (Twitter): @MRally93
• Facebook: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally
• Instagram: @theyouthrally_ne

For supporter inquiries or additional information, contact peterfergusonbhs@gmail.com.

Website: mlkyouthrally.com | Twitter: @Rally93 | Instagram: @theyouthrally_ne | Facebook: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally

For additional information, to become a supporter of the Rally, or to stay updated on our efforts, visit mlkyouthrally.com or contact peterfergusonbhs@gmail.com.

2026 Rally Collaborative Allies: UNITY as We Walk Together in Support.

These allies stand with our planning committee and youth as we walk together toward belonging, dignity, and possibility.

2026 - Beloved Community Ally Collaborators

2026 - Empowerment Ally Collaborators

2026 - Bridge Builder Ally Collaborators

2026 - Step Allies

“Invest in Scholar Voice. Build the Beloved Community”

[CLICK HERE TO DONATE or PAY Your Co-ConspiratoR (Supporter) Invoice]

Support The Rally

Since 1995, The Rally a.k.a. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally and March has been a pillar of excellence, offering a unique youth showcase of power, education, and engagement. It continues the legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and local civil rights leader Dr. Leola Bullock, promoting their lives and dreams through positive youth action.

The Rally attracts diverse audiences K–12 and post-secondary scholars, educators, business and government professionals, nonprofit leaders, retirees, and more all united in the mission to impact hearts and minds. Both in-person and virtual participants come together to take meaningful steps to “Walk Together” in love.

As a supporter, you are more than a donor—you are a co-conspirator in the movement. Your support provides a powerful avenue to align your organization with our purpose: fostering positive youth action and shaping the greater community.

Guidelines for Sponsorship
The Rally reserves the right to review all sponsorships for alignment with our mission. We do not accept advertisements or entities that discriminate—or encourage discrimination—based on race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. We also prohibit sponsorships that spread misinformation or facilitate human exploitation. All decisions are final.