Monday, January 12, 2026
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. with a day of service, reflection and community engagement as part
of the annual MLK OKC Coalition celebrations in downtown OKC.
MLK Day at OSU?OKC is positioned just before Black History Month. Led by Professor
Steven Collins and the Black Student Association, the campus community is invited
to gather, learn and march together in unity. Collins said honoring Dr. King’s legacy
sets the tone for a month focused on history, progress, and solidarity.
“In the spirit of Black History Month, it’s all about standing together,” Collins
said. “This day is about bringing people together from all backgrounds to honor Dr.
King and what he stood for.”
The day begins at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 19, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, located
at 127 NW 7th Street in downtown Oklahoma City. Participants will be welcomed with
a free lunch, followed by a Black history program hosted at the church. Attendance
is flexible. Participants may join for lunch, the program, the parade, or all three.
After the program, the group will depart around 1 p.m. to take its place in the downtown
MLK Day parade, which begins at NW Fifth Street and Walker Avenue at 2 p.m. OSU?OKC
hopes to bring a large group of students, faculty, staff, families and community members
to march in solidarity.
Participants are encouraged to express their creativity and voice. Poster boards and
markers will be available for those who wish to create signs, alongside professionally
printed signs provided by OSU-OKC. Children are welcome.
“We don’t turn anyone away,” Collins said. “If someone decides at the last minute
they want something to do that day, we won’t turn them away.”
The parade typically concludes around 4:30 p.m., followed by an optional awards ceremony.
Last year, OSU-OKC earned third place in the large group division, which is now displayed
on the third floor of the Learning Resource Center.
“So come and hang out with us, eat some free lunch, listen to a great program and
march in solidarity,” Collins said.
Following MLK Day, OSU?OKC will continue its commitment to education, engagement and
civic responsibility throughout Black History Month in February. The month features
a series of forums, voter registration initiatives and community conversations designed
to connect history with lived experience.
“Black history is American history,” Collins said.
One of the largest campus celebrations will be Nancy Randolph Davis Day, observed
on the last Thursday in February. OSU-OKC has honored Davis since 2010, recognizing
her as the first Black student to enroll in the OSU System.
More details about the Nancy Randolph Day celebration at OSU-OKC will be announced
in the coming weeks.
