State celebration at the Capitol
Dr. King’s legacy lives on
Dr. King’s legacy lives on
Overby invites a guest speaker to discuss the issues certain communities still face and the work still needed to ensure everyone has equal opportunities. This
year’s speaker is Kevin Powell, a young activist hailing from New York City.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson called Powell , “a breath of fresh air.” Aside from being a social activist, Powell is also a poet, political activist, journalist, essayist, public
speaker and entrepreneur. Additionally, performing arts groups including Celtic Bagpipers, UW-Madison First Wave Urban Arts Group and the Ko-Thi Dance
company will take the stage at the celebration.
“Many people think that Dr. King’s work and legacy pertained solely to African Americans; but Dr. King’s words were meant for everyone. This is why the
State King Celebration is open for everyone, because it takes everyone to bring about change.” Overby said.
Although the celebration has been around for 30 years, Overby makes it clear Dr. King’s legacy is not the only one being honored, but all those who have
served, fought or given their lives for the benefit of future generations.
“What is important to understand is that Dr. King is a part of a larger picture belonging to social activism, (and) at this event, we talk about the sung and the
unsung heroes of the past and present,” Overby said. “January 19th is significant because Dr. King is one the most prominent men of color to be nationally
recognized in our country and around the world. We have to keep the spirit of what he and others fought and died for alive not only on this day but everyday.”
We as a nation have come a long way since the era of Dr. King. This year’s ceremony will be even more notable as the next day, January 20, 2009, President-
elect Barack Obama will be the country’s first African American President.
The State King Event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Jonathan.Overby@wpr.org
year’s speaker is Kevin Powell, a young activist hailing from New York City.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson called Powell , “a breath of fresh air.” Aside from being a social activist, Powell is also a poet, political activist, journalist, essayist, public
speaker and entrepreneur. Additionally, performing arts groups including Celtic Bagpipers, UW-Madison First Wave Urban Arts Group and the Ko-Thi Dance
company will take the stage at the celebration.
“Many people think that Dr. King’s work and legacy pertained solely to African Americans; but Dr. King’s words were meant for everyone. This is why the
State King Celebration is open for everyone, because it takes everyone to bring about change.” Overby said.
Although the celebration has been around for 30 years, Overby makes it clear Dr. King’s legacy is not the only one being honored, but all those who have
served, fought or given their lives for the benefit of future generations.
“What is important to understand is that Dr. King is a part of a larger picture belonging to social activism, (and) at this event, we talk about the sung and the
unsung heroes of the past and present,” Overby said. “January 19th is significant because Dr. King is one the most prominent men of color to be nationally
recognized in our country and around the world. We have to keep the spirit of what he and others fought and died for alive not only on this day but everyday.”
We as a nation have come a long way since the era of Dr. King. This year’s ceremony will be even more notable as the next day, January 20, 2009, President-
elect Barack Obama will be the country’s first African American President.
The State King Event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Jonathan.Overby@wpr.org
By Jessica Pharm
Dr. King’s vision was that of world where people could live together in harmony and divisions like
race would be rendered trivial. Dr. King wanted all of humanity to come together for the greater good to
improve social conditions all over the world. Despite the fact Dr. King passed away over 40 years ago,
his words have a life of their own.
Every January, the legacy of Dr. King is remembered. Wisconsin’s King Celebration in Madison has
the honor of being the oldest state office commemoration for Dr. King in the United States. The January
19th program marks the event’s 29th year.
For over 27 years, Jonathan Overby (left photo) has been the executive producer of the State King
Celebration in Madison. He is also the host of the radio show “Higher Ground.” Overby scouts
communities across the state for talent to be featured at the State celebration and hosts the event as
well. Previous guest speakers have included Cecily Tyson, Clifton Davis, Paul Winfield, Millard Fuller,
and Shirley Chisholm (the first African American woman elected to Congress).
“Each year, I try to come up with a different theme that we can then incorporate into our
celebration and message,” Overby said. “This year’s theme is the power of hope and what having hope
can mean to a community.”
Dr. King’s vision was that of world where people could live together in harmony and divisions like
race would be rendered trivial. Dr. King wanted all of humanity to come together for the greater good to
improve social conditions all over the world. Despite the fact Dr. King passed away over 40 years ago,
his words have a life of their own.
Every January, the legacy of Dr. King is remembered. Wisconsin’s King Celebration in Madison has
the honor of being the oldest state office commemoration for Dr. King in the United States. The January
19th program marks the event’s 29th year.
For over 27 years, Jonathan Overby (left photo) has been the executive producer of the State King
Celebration in Madison. He is also the host of the radio show “Higher Ground.” Overby scouts
communities across the state for talent to be featured at the State celebration and hosts the event as
well. Previous guest speakers have included Cecily Tyson, Clifton Davis, Paul Winfield, Millard Fuller,
and Shirley Chisholm (the first African American woman elected to Congress).
“Each year, I try to come up with a different theme that we can then incorporate into our
celebration and message,” Overby said. “This year’s theme is the power of hope and what having hope
can mean to a community.”
Jonathan Overby has been producing the State
King Celebration in Madison for over 27 years.
King Celebration in Madison for over 27 years.