Columbus marks MLK legacy with unity walk, music and reflection

A standing-room-only crowd filled the Columbus Convention and Trade Center on Saturday morning as city leaders, artists and residents gathered for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Walk and Dream Lives program, an event that has become a must-attend tradition honoring the civil rights leader’s legacy.

The day began with the Unity Walk at 9 a.m., as participants assembled at the Government Center and walked together through Uptown Columbus, symbolizing solidarity and shared purpose. By 10 a.m., the crowd moved indoors to the Trade Center’s North Hall, where the official program unfolded before a packed audience.

The annual observance, supported by the City of Columbus and Mayor’s Office, blended music, reflection and community engagement in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring message of justice, inclusion and collective responsibility.

Arreasha Lawrence, known professionally as “Z” in the music industry and a longtime organizer of the event, said the program continues to grow because it resonates across generations.

“This is more than an event — it’s a movement,” Lawrence said during the program. “Whether rain or shine, people show up because this matters to Columbus.”

A central feature of the program was the Dream Lives Choir, a community ensemble formed more than a decade ago in Columbus. Under the direction of Greg Miller and Tacara Hemingway, the choir presented a curated musical journey reflecting the spirituals, hymns and freedom songs that surrounded King’s life, sermons and activism.

Also joining the event this year was the Reverend Dr. Ouida W. Harding a distinguished and visionary leader in music ministry within the Black Baptist denomination. Harding emphasized that while the music uplifted the audience, the purpose extended beyond entertainment.

“This is about remembering where we were, understanding where we are, and asking ourselves where we are going,” Harding said. “The music connects us — it always has. People still want to belong, to love, and to be accepted. That was true then, and it remains true now.”

Harding, who grew up during the civil rights era, reflected on King’s influence and the role music played in sustaining the movement.

“Music was the thread that carried the message,” she said. “It still invites us to sing the dream, live the vision and recommit ourselves to one another.”

The event also highlighted the city’s cultural and historical ties to gospel and traditional music, noting Harding’s deep roots in that tradition and her connections to iconic voices from earlier generations.

Organizers reported a full house and strong community participation, with vendors, families, faith leaders and civic groups in attendance. The program concluded with a call for continued unity and action beyond the holiday observance.

Held at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center, the annual MLK celebration once again affirmed its place as one of the city’s signature civic events — blending remembrance, reflection and renewed commitment to Dr. King’s dream.