Historical photos of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leading a march and speaking to large crowds.
ONE PEOPLE

35 Years of Community, Connection, and Celebration

Please join us for the 35th Annual
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast

January 20, 2025

Minneapolis Convention Center (Exhibit Hall A)
1301 Second Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55403

7:00 AM
Doors open

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Programming

Schedule

Please visit the MCC website and directions and parking page for more information.

keynote speaker

MICHELE NORRIS

Journalist, NPR Host and Author

An award-winning journalist and one of the most recognized voices in radio, Michele Norris engages audiences in candid discussion about race, culture and communication in America.  From the radio airwaves of NPR and primetime television to leading news publications such as The Washington Post, and author of Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race (January 2024), Norris is one of the most trusted voices in American journalism. On stage, she inspires open and honest dialogue, with memorable stories and fascinating perspectives drawn from her personal journey, investigative research, and interviews with world leaders, Nobel Laureates and influential newsmakers.

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Globally recognized band Sounds of Blackness photographed in a studio

Sounds of Blackness appearances include the Olympics, World Cup, Ryder Cup, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, World Figure Skating Championships, Grammys and more.

Sounds of Blackness has appeared with Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Sting, Prince and Elton John, amongst other inspiring artists.

Sounds of Blackness has won Image, Soul Train, International Time for Peace, Stellar and 3 Grammy Awards. Their Top 10 single “ROYALTY" was nominated for two Stellar and two NAACP Image Awards.

sounds of blackness

special collaborative performance by

Threads dance project is led by founding Artistic/Executive Director Karen L. Charles whose creative vision connects audiences to new works about human justice. Threads transforms reality into resonant movement that causes people to reflect on ideas beyond the movement. 

The company has been nominated for a MN SAGE DANCE AWARD. Threads provides opportunities for people of all ages to create and experience dance through a variety of classes and workshops offered at their local studio – Threads Dance Nexus.

Threads Dance Project

Threads dance group poses head-on wearing black.

The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA) is a community of Twin Cities teenagers who are expanding what it means to be a choir and encouraging a wider circle of participation in the artform. Under the visionary leadership of G. Phillip Shoultz, III, the singers explore a wide array of musical styles including classical, folk, rock, gospel, hip-hop and more. They use creativity and collaboration to build an accepting community, equipped with the skills to lead social change in our society.

vocalessence

VocalEssence performing in colorful shirts.