In 1987, a group of citizens, many recently transferred to Mesa, Arizona from Culver City, California as employees of Hughes Helicopters, gathered together in the home of Warren Simms to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The following year, Warren and Chellette Henderson led a group of citizens to coordinate the first MLK Breakfast in Mesa. Even without an official holiday, the celebration continued to grow over the years to expand to include
a march and a festival. By 1991, the group of concerned citizens began working to establish a holiday which encountered much opposition. The initiative was defeated in 1992 at the ballot box. But thanks to the passion and commitment of these leaders, the community came to realize the importance of King's legacy and the need to officially celebrate the holiday in our community.

In 1996, the voters of Mesa established a citywide holiday recognizing the leadership of Dr. King. The victory did not come without challenges...but the victory came! Today, the committee continues to coordinate the celebration that is enjoyed by thousands of Mesa residents and has grown to include citizens across many cities in Arizona. We proudly embrace the theme that represents that unity -- Many Faces, One Community. The march that once symbolized the struggle to have an official holiday is now a parade that celebrates the unity of the community. The fight for a holiday was never about a 'day off,' but was about a day to remember, a day to celebrate, a day to recognize, and a day to serve others.

How do we remember, celebrate, recognize and serve others?

The Candlelight Service is a time to remember the spiritual man who believed in God, non-violence and loving others (even those who didn't love him).

The Night of Tribute is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the students who participate
in the essay writing and art contests. The night engages the younger generation in expressing their understanding of Dr. King's philosophy and ideas.

The MLK Breakfast is a time to recognize the work of Dr. King while he lived among us, the legacy he left behind, and message that is still relevant today. We also recognize those who exhibit the characteristics of Dr. King in their everyday lives with various awards.

The Parade and Festival gives us another opportunity to remember our history as a city, celebrate the progress made over the years, and recognize the work that is before us.

The Basketball Classic provides an opportunity to serve others through scholarships presented at the Breakfast. In addition, the committee has dedicated the MLK Day to a day of service by seeking opportunities to serve through the national Day of Service initiative.

The committee has made a commitment to serve the community throughout the year by seeking ways to give back, provide scholarships, and work with the community to Build a Better Mesa.