On Monday, January 19, 2026, the Greater Kansas City Black History Study Group participated as a sponsor in the 42nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration. The program is facilitated each year by Dr. Cecelia Robinson, GKCBHSG Vice President, and our Institutional member, the Clay County African American Legacy (CCAAL), Inc. represented by members Ms. Theresa Byrd and Mr. A.J. Byrd. This year’s theme, “Still Marching Towards Fredom: The Dream at the Nation’s 250th Year”, provided the opportunity for speakers to address the growing challenges to fulfilling Dr. King’s dream as well as this nation’s ambiguous and sometimes faltering pursuit of the ideals in its founding document.
The keynote speaker, Rabbi Michael Zedek, is the rabbi emeritus of two congregations, Temple B’nai Yehuda (greater Kansas City) and Emanuel Congregation (Chicago). He is the recipient of a Fulbright-Hays grant for advanced study in the United Kingdom and is a respected scholar, teacher, and community activist with long engagement in interfaith dialogue.
Five individuals were presented with service awards in recognition of their leadership, community outreach, and excellence in public service. In addition, Mr. Marvin Daniels was the recipient of the Invictus Social Justice Award, presented in recognition of his perseverance and commitment to the Kansas City community. Since 2014, Mr. Daniels has served as Executive Director and CEO of The Hope Center KC, a community and youth development organization founded in 1998. The center supports 100 families, children, and youth on the east side of Kansas City’s urban core. It provides comprehensive programming, including K-12 afterschool leadership and character development, Parents as Partners, men’s support groups, family events, and community outreach initiatives. Approximately one hundred and sixty-five individuals braved the frigid weather to make this a great event.
Shown in the pictures are 1) Dr. Cecelia Robinson and MLK Service Award winner, Ms. Natalie O’Bannon; 2) Speaker: Rabbi Michael Zedek; 3) Kansas City Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter Members who served as ushers and supported the event; 4)Invictus Award Winner, Mr. Marvin Daniels.
