​Our Mission

Our mission is to preserve the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by promoting his nonviolent philosophies of love, peace and equality for all.

Our History

​In 1987, a group of citizens, many recently transferred to Mesa, Arizona from Culver City, California as employees of Hughes Helicopters, gathered 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; and in 1996, the voters of Mesa established a citywide holiday recognizing the leadership of Dr. King.

Our Team

Keisha A. McKinnor
President

Andre' Briscoe
Vice-President

John Goodie
Founding Member

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

​Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work embodied the fight for a just and equitable society. The Mesa-East Valley MLK Committee believes that in order to preserve Dr. King’s legacy, we must have a deep commitment to not just diversity, equity, and inclusion, but also for justice and being anti-racist in all that we do in service to the community.  The Mesa Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Inc., dba Mesa-East Valley MLK Committee is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.