MLK Day 2026 Pics and Recap

A wonderfully diverse crowd gathered on Monday the 19th to mark the City of Boca Raton's 30th celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

DISC launched the first act - a gracious, free community breakfast at 8AM at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. Packed together, encountering each other around tables were people beautifully diverse- in age, color and life circumstances - all enjoying delicious food prepared by the ladies of Pearl City and funded by DISC.

Starting at 10AM an exuberant group marched from Ebenezer down Federal Highway and into Mizner Park. They were led by the Boca High Band, followed by the Sea Cadets, so sharp in their white uniforms and followed by a new entry from JC Mitchell Elementary clothed in bright yellow tee shirts and strutting their stuff!. After them came scores of citizens led by City Officials. Our colorful DISC banner was carried by Mitch Smith and a young man named (appropriately!) King.

People seated themselves at tables spread out on the grass to attend to a formal ceremony on the stage. This year's ceremony was wonderfully organized by the City Community Program Manager (Amy) and Community Events Manager (Hadessah) The program was led by MC and poet! Nate Delevoe. The opening prayer was given by Rev. Taura Parrish the new pastor of Macedonia AME Church. We stood together to sing the heartrending verses of the Black National Anthem led by the beautiful voice and guitar of Morgan Joyce Hart. Then followed a bold proclamation by Mayor Scott Singer promoting justice and community service in our City.

Next on the program was BRICA- Boca Raton Interfaith Clergy Association- a lively sign of diverse faiths united for racial justice. Their Youth Group led the audience in four affirmations of support for racial justice. Finally, DISC presented the Humanitarian Award to three people -Charles C.Graves, Susan Gillis and Jeffrey Katz- who have done and continue to do exceptional work to honor and preserve our local history- specifcally the history of the Pearl City neighborhood which is now on the National! Registry of Historic Neighborhoods. We encouraged people to join our Trolley Tour of Pearl City on Sunday, Feb 15 from 2:30 o 5PM to learn more about this vibrant neighborhood where history just keeps on happening! For more information or to register call 561-213-6214.

The ceremony concluded with prayer and exhortation from Rabbi Greg Weisman of Temple Bethel. People were invited to enjoy food, free rides, face painting, informational tables and ongoing music from singer and guitarist Nellys Echo until 3PM. We were blessed by seven hours of eating, marching, song and speech, ceremony and fun! We were together - peacefully!

Viva the beloved community!

Submitted by Marjorie O'Sullivan

Photos by Kurt Wells

View of the March from the Trolley