Honoring Legacy: Black History Month and MLK Day Events in Kokomo
As we celebrate Black History Month and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Kokomo offers a variety of events that allow the community to reflect and engage in meaningful conversations.
From educational programs to local gatherings, these events provide an opportunity to celebrate culture, history and unity in our community.
Living the Dream Through the Arts
Join the Omicron Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Indiana University Kokomo for a celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18.
This annual event will feature a variety of art forms and performances, including music, dance, spoken word, and visual arts, all reflecting the spirit of Dr. King's message. The event is free and open to the public, offering an inspiring and uplifting experience for all.
Read more here.
Located at: Indiana University Kokomo’s Kresge Auditorium, 2300 S. Washington St., Kokomo
United We Serve - Carver Community Center’s MLK Day of Service
Photo Provided | Carver Community Center
Join Carver Community Center and IU Kokomo on Monday, Jan. 20, for the MLK Day of Service, a special event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of love, kindness and generosity.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carver Community Center, 1030 N. Purdum St., Kokomo, participants will engage in meaningful acts of service that reflect Dr. King’s spirit. The day will begin with check-in at 9 a.m., followed by a community march at 9:30 a.m. and service projects at the Carver Center starting at 10 a.m. A lunch break will be provided at noon, with an inspiring MLK program at 12:45 p.m.
Pre-register for a free t-shirt and be part of this united effort to serve and honor Dr. King’s legacy here.
Free Admission to Indianapolis Attractions
Take a trip to Indianapolis to enjoy free admission to a huge list of attractions for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on Monday, Jan. 20!
Explore the NCAA Hall of Champions and other White River State Park attractions including Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, IMAX Theater Indiana State Museum, Indiana State Museum and Indianapolis Zoo all at no cost to you.
Parking will be free in the underground parking lot.
Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit
Carver Community Center Director JC Barnett III Reading about The Pilots Featured in the Exhibit
TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt
The traveling exhibition “Tuskegee Airmen: America’s Freedom Flyers” is now on display at Artworks Gallery in downtown Kokomo, across from the mural dedicated to the city’s “Hometown Heroes.”
Curated by Robin Williams, this special Black History Month presentation highlights Kokomo’s local Tuskegee Airmen and their 84-year legacy. Visitors can explore panels and artifacts, including a 2006 Congressional Medal awarded to Kokomo native LTC Bennett Hardy, photographs and more.
Free tours for schools, churches, and community groups will be available from Jan. 19 through Feb. 22. The exhibition, made possible by generous local support, will continue its national tour, with its next stop at the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in St. Louis in June 2025.
Read more here.
‘Doing the Dream’ Banquet at Ivy Tech Kokomo
Tickets are now available for Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo’s 2025 Doing the Dream community banquet, featuring renowned poet and activist Sonia Sanchez as the keynote speaker.
The event, held Thursday, Feb. 6, at Hingst Hall, celebrates the theme "The Art That Moved the Movement," honoring the artists who supported Dr. King's legacy of justice, equity, and peace. Sanchez, a celebrated poet and social activist, will share readings and insights from her 60+ years of work.
Tickets are $60 and available until Jan. 30 or until sold out. All proceeds benefit the Ivy Tech Kokomo Doing the Dream Diversity Scholarship.
Whether you’re attending an event to learn, reflect, or simply show support, Kokomo’s Black History Month and MLK Day events offer a chance to come together and honor the past while looking forward to a brighter future.