Sunday, January 20 // 5:30pm

This annual event unites people from churches throughout the Sacramento area to celebrate – and be challenged by – Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of racial diversity, reconciliation, and harmony.

MLK Celebration creates unity through:

• Inspirational music by the MLK Celebration Choir, a city-wide, multi-cultural choir led by Tecoy and Ellington Porter
• “Difference Maker” awards given to individuals for their faith and service in the Sacramento area
• Keynote speech by Dr. Samuel Gordon
• Scholarships to Sacramento area youth

Featured Keynote: Dr. Samuel Gordon
The Reverend Dr. Samuel and Linda Gordon have been married for 45 years. They are the proud parents of three adult children and six grandsons. Dr. Gordon is an exemplary leader, speaker, teacher, and influencer. He is an educator and ordained minister, and most recently received his earned doctorate in Theology. He has served as an administrator with the Chicago Public School System, a principal in the Sacramento area, Pastoral Care and Missions Pastor at Capital Christian Center, and Executive Vice President of Capital Bible College. He currently serves as Superintendent of Capital Christian Schools. His area of responsibility includes directing and implementing Christian education and he serves as a liaison for promoting city unity and outreach with local churches and pastors.

He is also the president of the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration committee, a faith-based organization established to educate the region, motivate the community, and advocate positive social change within the Greater Sacramento Area.

History

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration began in 1994 at the Memorial Auditorium with Pastor Samuel Gordon and the late Bishop Sherwood Carthen. With other city pastors, they began the task of furthering the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since then, the Celebration has moved to Capital Christian Center and with 30+ churches involved. The event has united and empowered students and city-wide difference makers to continue the work of Dr. King.

It is our desire to support and partner with Sacramento-area ethnic churches to financially assist deserving multi-cultural, multi-ethnic students who attend and benefit from a four-year college or university education. In addition, the MLK Celebration Committee awards a few local leaders, businessmen and women, pastors, and other people in the community that are making a difference in Sacramento.

The MLK Celebration Choir is made up of more than 100 voices representing churches of various denominations, cultures, and color throughout the city and suburbs of Sacramento. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Tecoy Porter and Dr. Ellington Porter, also known as The Porter Brothers.