Community reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Since 2000 all US states now recognize the third Monday in January as a federal holiday, named after Civil Rights Leader, Minister and Nobel Prize winner Dr.  Martin Luther King Jr. 

 57 years since Dr.  Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated, but his life and his legacy live on throughout the world.

Today, January 19, 2026, community members of Cape Girardeau gathered at the Shawnee Park Center for a day of unity and remembrance.

Following Dr. Kings assassination many leaders and supporters called for a national holiday to support his legacy, but according to history records the idea faced opposition for years. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when civil rights leaders created the biggest petition in US history, with 6 million signatures that pushed congress to finally approve the holiday.

Debra Mitchell-Braxton is the Founder and Director of MLK events of Cape Girardeau she shares more the holiday.  

 “We want people to realize that Dr King’s holiday is not a holiday only for African Americans. It’s a holiday that honors the civil rights movement of not just Dr king, but all those college students and all those people that marched, there’s voter registration. It’s a federal holiday and is the only federal holiday that received 6 million signatures to become a holiday” says Mitchell-Braxton. 

“Today is actually the federal holiday that was legislated in 1986. So, for 41 years we’ve done a memorial” says Mitchell-Braxton. 

After a Memorial breakfast at 8:30 am at the Shawnee Park Center of Cape Girardeau there was a Prayer for the Nation gathering at 11:30, followed by the annual MLK Jr humanitarian luncheon at 12:00 and at 4:00pm the 29th Annual Youth Gala event at West Park Mall.

All events centered around the work and legacy of Dr. King  

 “When someone loses their life at 39 to make a difference in this country, the least we can do is get up and do something to help someone in need” says Mitchell-Braxton. 

More on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in 1994 President Bill Clinton attached a service to the federal holiday. Marking the day also as a National Day of Service.  

The goal was to put more action towards Dr. Kings’ beliefs that everyone can serve, so through the holiday citizens and organizers are encouraged to volunteer, mentor, donate, and more. 

 “What we’re doing is you can donate canned goods, nonperishable items, toiletries, school supplies, hats, closed blankets and all the items collected will be given to agencies to serve those people in need” says Mitchell-Braxton.

If you would like to donate you can contact Director Debra Mitchell-Braxton at mitchellbraxtond@capetigers.com.