Our Mission is to Serve the People of Utah and Involve All Sectors—Public and Private—in a Conscious Effort to Promote Diversity, Equity and Human Rights.

About the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission

Gov. Norm Bangerter signed an executive order on July 1, 1991 establishing the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights (MLK) Commission. Gov. Gary R. Herbert reissued the executive order on August 28, 2013 and the Utah State Legislature codified the commission into state statute during the 2019 session.

The commission promotes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day by:

Encouraging appropriate ceremonies and activities commemorating the federal and state holiday which occurs on the third Monday of January each year.
Providing advice and assistance to governments and private organizations on the observance of the holiday.
Coordinating efforts with individuals of diverse backgrounds and with private organizations on the observance of the holiday.
Partnering with public education to assist schools in promoting appropriate events to honor human rights and the holiday.

Hybrid meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise noted) from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and are open to the public.

To view upcoming and previous meeting information, visit the Utah Public Notice website and follow the steps below:

Under Government Type, click State Agency.
Under Entity, click Department of Cultural and Community Engagement.
Under Public Body, click MLK Commission.
In the results, choose a meeting date for specific information.

CELEBRATING Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy. Throughout the month of January, there are multiple events, programs, and service projects for the extended community to learn, grow, and have critical conversations. Each year the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission will compile resources and an events calendar to encourage Utahns to participate.

Please visit each event's respective website for updates.

Ideas for Celebrating MLK Day

Event Organizer	Event Name	Event Date	Event Time	Event Location	Event Link
Rowland Hall	Afrofuturism, Frontiers, and Pioneers: A Poetry Reading with Rio Cortez	1/12/2023	7 PM - 9 PM	Larimer Center on the Lincoln Campus (843 S Lincoln Street)	chandanipatel@rowlandhall.org
University of Utah	MLK Week 2023: Choose Love Over Hate	1/14/2023 - 1/20/2023	Times Vary	University of Utah, Salt Lake City (exact locations vary)	diversity.utah.edu/mlk
University of Utah	MLK Day of Service	1/14/2023	9:00 AM	Various Locations	bennioncenter.org/events/mlk-ssp-2023.php
NAACP Salt Lake Branch	39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Commemoration	1/16/2023	11:00 AM	Little America Hotel Ballroom 500 South Main, Salt Lake City, Utah	naacp-saltlakebranch.org/dr-martin-l-king-jr-luncheon.html
Ogden Branch NAACP	Dr. Martin Luther King, Community Prayer Breakfast & March	1/16/2023	Breakfast @ 9 AM - 10:30 AM, March @ 11 AM	Marshall White Center, 222 28th Street, Ogden; March: Starts at MWC - Ogden Amphitheater	naacpogden.org
Thanksgiving Point	2023 MLK Day of Service	1/16/2023	10 AM - 2 PM	Museum of Natural Curiosity, 3605 Garden Drive Lehi, UT 84043	thanksgivingpoint.org/events/martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service
University of Utah	MLK Day Rally & March	1/16/2023	2:30 PM - 4 PM	Start at East High School, march to Kingsbury Hall	bennioncenter.org/events/mlk-ssp-2023.php
University of Utah	Art & Activism: Resistance Revival Chorus	1/17/2023	9 AM - 10 AM	Carlson Hall, 383 University St E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112	diversity.utah.edu/event/talkback-art-activism
Utah Presents	Resistance Revival Chorus	1/17/2023	7:00 PM	Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City, UT 84112	utahpresents.org/events/resistance-revival-chorus
University of Utah	Choosing Love Over Hate: A Conversation with Reverend France A. Davis	1/17/2023	12 PM - 1 PM	Gould Auditorium, 295 S 1500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112	diversity.utah.edu/event/choosing-love-over-hate
University of Utah	Film Screening & Discussion: “Till”	1/18/2023	4 PM - 6:30 PM	The Post Theater, 245 Fort Douglas Blvd Salt Lake City, UT	diversity.utah.edu/event/film-screening-panel-till
University of Utah	MLK Week Keynote: Melissa Wood Bartholomew	1/19/2023	12 PM - 1 PM	Union Saltair Room, 200 Central Campus Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112	diversity.utah.edu/event/mlk-week-keynote-melissa-wood-bartholomew
Southern Utah University	MLK Interfaith Celebration	1/19/2023	11 AM - 12:30 PM	Southern Utah University, ST 145 Ball Room, 351 W University Blvd, Cedar City, UT 84720	suu.edu/events/single.html?calendar=suu.edu_f5lvtabops10jp3u4m6m9dc7kc@group.calendar.google.com&event=7pvg06gjul0cv1474sbcljkgbf
University of Utah	MLK Jubilee	1/20/2023	6 PM - 8 PM	Black Cultural Center, 95 Fort Douglas Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84112	diversity.utah.edu/event/mlk-jubilee-2023
Westminster College	Westminster College's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Luncheon	1/20/2023	11:30 AM - 1:30 PM	Westminster College \| Tanner Atrium \| Jewett Center for the Performing Arts 1840 1300 East Salt Lake City, UT 84105	eventbrite.com/e/westminster-colleges-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-unity-luncheon-tickets-482647550817
Westminster College	2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote: "Bodies on the Line"	2/1/2023	6:30 PM - 8 PM	Westminster College, Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Jewett Center	westminstercollege.edu/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/mlk-celebration.html

MLK STudent ART & ESSAY Competition

Calling all 7th-9th grade students! Submit your artwork or a descriptive essay centered on one of Dr. King's six principles of nonviolence for a chance to win amazing prizes! The deadline to submit is February 10th, 2023. Download the flyer to share.

Submit Your Entry

Join the Commission

The commission represents a cross-section of civic leaders from the private, public and nonprofit sectors. A vital part of the commission’s purpose and vision is to bring Dr. King’s message of nonviolent social action to all citizens of Utah. If you feel driven by this mission, apply and submit your resume at boards.utah.gov.

Apply Today

Bridget Shears

"Being a commissioner is an opportunity to fulfill a calling to serve and have an impact on the lives of Utahns across the state. It is a way to lend a voice to the voiceless in our underserved communities and partner with many organizations in their line of work. Consider applying for the commission and leave your footprint by helping to improve equity, diversity and inclusion for all."

King Conversation Series

The commission is committed to providing King Conversation Series to communities in Utah, which reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of service and its meaning in today’s world. Past topics included Juneteenth, LGBT equality, and women and girls in education among others.

As a commission, the hope is these conversations provide an opportunity for people to come together for thoughtful discussion and dialogue, even if they don’t share each other’s values or experiences. The ultimate goal is that each conversation will celebrate and explore service and civil rights as a jumping-off point to explore the personal and social importance of public service and civic engagement.

Explore Events

Many Stories, One Utah: Utah Martin Luther King Jr. License Plate

In honoring Dr. King’s legacy, the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission hosted an art contest for the official state decal of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. license plate. With an accompanying slogan of “Many Stories, One Utah,” the selected artwork promotes diversity, equity and human rights and was designed by Eleanor Smith, a then senior at Timpview High School.

Show your support and order the new Utah Martin Luther King Jr. License plate now available at Utah DMVs. All you need to get started is your current license plate number and the last four digits of your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Then, follow the simple steps below to get your special group plate mailed right to your door.

Get Your Plate Today