Upcoming Events
Martin Luther King Center hosts a variety of annual events including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, Soul of the City, Thanksgiving Meals and Children’s Holiday Gifts.
Soul of the City
Join the MLK Center, Rock Island Parks and Recreation, The West End Rib Fest, Community Caring Conference and The Rock Island County NAACP in celebrating “Soul of the City” 2025, an outdoor community block party celebrating all cultures, strength in neighborhoods and families.
Welcoming nearly 5,000 people, “Soul of the City” will feature a parade, a rib festival, food, merchant and resource vendors, live entertainment and many activities for youth and families!
Would you like to participate in this year’s event? Sign up below!
Registration Opens: Children's Holiday Gifts
Children's Holiday Gifts
Registration begins November 1st. More details to come!
Thanksgiving Meals
Thanksgiving Meals will be November 21st-23rd.
More details to come!
West End Revitalization Update
West End Revitalization Update is Tuesday, April 29th from 5pm-7pm.
Join us for an exciting update on the West End Revitalization! We'll be sharing the latest progress, upcoming plans, and ways you can get involved in transforming the heart of our community. This is an Open House and everyone is invited to attend and learn more. Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference!
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday, April 26th from 10 AM to 2 PM, with easy drop-off locations at Rock Island County Justice Center, Milan Police Department, Moline Police Department, East Moline Police Department, and Silvis Police Department.
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. Pills, patches, vaping devices, and cartridges will be accepted.*Be sure to remove device batteries *No sharps *No liquids
MLK's 50th Anniversary Open House
This event is FREE & open to everyone—whether you’ve been part of our journey for years or you’re just learning about us, we’d love to celebrate with you!
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
United Way has trained volunteers from the community help prepare basic, current year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge! For more information about the VITA program, visit their website here.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards
Join us in-person or virtually for the 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10:30am on Monday, January 20th, 2025
48th Annual Children's Holiday Gifts
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. ALL AVAILABLE SPOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED.
35th Annual Thanksgiving Meals
Enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal! All are welcome!
Soul of the City (Family Fun Day & Parade)
The Annual Family Fun Day & Parade is back for a fun filled 2 day event! Admission is free and all are welcomed!
4th Annual Community Bike Ride
Enjoy bike riding? Join our 4th annual community bike ride!
National Drug Take Back Day
The National Drug Take-Back Day event provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for disposal.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards
Join us in-person or virtually for the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10:30am on Monday, January 15th, 2024.
47th Annual Children's Holiday Gifts
Registration is CLOSED. All available slots have been filled.
34th Annual Thanksgiving Meals
Enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal! All are welcome!
2nd Annual Product Drive - PAD
Can’t make it to the event but would like to donate? Donations are accepted year-round! Please visit our center Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm to drop off donations!
Family Fun Day & Parade
The Annual Family Fun Day & Parade is back for a fun filled 2 day event! Admission is free and all are welcomed!
3rd Annual Community Bike Ride
Enjoy bike riding? Join our 3rd annual community bike ride!
Born Learning Virtual Academy
Born Learning Academies are a series of 6 workshops for parents who are either expecting a child or have a child who hasn't yet entered kindergarten. All academies are limited to 20 families and are available first come, first served.
National Drug Take Back Day
The National Drug Take-Back Day event provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for disposal.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
United Way has trained volunteers from the community help prepare basic, current year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge! For more information about the VITA program, visit their website here.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards
Join us in-person or virtually for the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10:30am on Monday, January 16th.
46th Annual Children's Holiday Gifts
All spots have been filled, registration has CLOSED!
33rd Annual Thanksgiving Meals
Enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal, either curbside or delivery. All are welcome!
Family Fun Day & Parade
The MLK Center invites you to our outdoor community block party! This event celebrates all cultures and welcomes nearly 3,000 community members!
Teen Movie Night
Join us for a Teen Movie Night! Bring your blanket, pillow and snacks! The MLK Center will host a viewing of the movie “Spiderman - No way home” Click here to register for this FREE event.
Interested in a career in construction? Start by attending one of BHC orientation sessions.
The MLK Center will host an orientation session for the Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) at Black Hawk College. This program aims to prepare people to work in the building trades and to increase the number of minorities, women and disadvantaged persons working on Illinois Department of Transportation projects. Register for an orientation session here or call 309-796-5729.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
United Way has trained volunteers from the community help prepare basic, current year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge! For more information about the VITA program, visit their website here.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards
Join us virtually for the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10:30am on Monday, January 17th. Click here to view the live stream on YouTube!
32nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal, either curbside or delivery. All are welcome!
Family Fun Day
Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your appetite, and bring your dancing shoes -- Family Fun Day and Parade are BACK in 2021!!