Milford to honor MLK Day with community celebration, keynote at Senior Center

The main celebration is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Milford Senior Center’s Crystal Room, located at 111 Park Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

MLK Celebration is intended not only as a remembrance, but as a recommitment to Dr. King’s call for service, equality, and unity across Milford’s neighborhoods.

MILFORD, Del. — Milford is preparing a community-wide celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2026, bringing together local organizations, faith groups and families for an evening focused on service, unity and Dr. King’s enduring legacy.

The main celebration is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Milford Senior Center’s Crystal Room, located at 111 Park Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

Organizers say the program is designed to be family-friendly and welcoming, with music, children’s activities, local vendors and a community conversation centered on equity and civic engagement.

The keynote address will be delivered by Cliffvon Howell, Associate Vice President of Engagement and Impact at United Way of Delaware. Howell also serves as the equity and diversity coordinator for the Caesar Rodney School District and is an adjunct professor of African-American history and political science at Delaware State University.

Howell brings more than two decades of public-service experience to the event, including work in juvenile justice planning, state mental-health policy, and community-based equity initiatives. A Sussex County native and graduate of Delaware public schools, he has built a career focused on youth advocacy, inclusive education and community building.

In addition to the keynote, the evening will feature uplifting music and performances aligned with the themes of the holiday. While specific performers have not yet been announced, organizers say music will play a central role in setting a reflective and celebratory tone.

Children’s activities are also planned throughout the event, with hands-on options designed to keep younger attendees engaged while reinforcing themes of unity, service, and inclusion. Organizers have confirmed activities for kids, but say details will be finalized closer to the event.

Local vendors and community organizations will be on hand as well, offering residents an opportunity to connect with Milford-area businesses, nonprofits, and cultural groups.

The event is being organized through a partnership that includes Downtown Milford Inc., the City of Milford, Jesus Love Temple, Avenue Church, The Culture Club, Mt. Enon Baptist Church, I Am My Sister’s Keeper, and other community partners.

In advance of the celebration, Milford City Council is expected to approve a formal Martin Luther King Jr. Day proclamation at its Jan. 12 meeting, underscoring the city’s commitment to recognizing the holiday and its message.

Organizers say the celebration is intended not only as a remembrance, but as a recommitment to Dr. King’s call for service, equity and unity across Milford’s neighborhoods.

For more information, residents are encouraged to follow Downtown Milford Inc. and City of Milford announcements as the event date approaches.

Staff Writer

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