- Departments
- Parks & Recreation
- Special Events
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration is an exciting four-day event that includes live music throughout the weekend, ending with an exciting parade, and program celebrating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. However, this past 2021, a Virtual Celebration was held by the City of Deerfield Beach & the Deerfield Beach African American Heritage Board on, Monday, January 18th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. This included a guest keynote speaker, choir performances, sermons from pastors, and more.
Check back at the end of 2021 for details for the upcoming 2022 MLK event.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER INFORMATION
Ms. Clayton moved to Atlanta in 1965 and worked with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She also worked closely with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and traveled extensively with Mrs. Coretta Scott King during her nationwide concert tours. Dedicated to promoting racial understanding, Xernona Clayton has been a leader in civic projects and civil rights activities for decades.
Her ongoing fight against prejudice and bigotry was never more apparent than in 1968 when the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan denounced the Klan and credited Xernona’s influence with his change. Ms. Clayton’s dedication to the community is reflected in the many hours she spends promoting human relations through bi-racial groups devoted to improving racial understanding.
“The Peaceful Warrior,” a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. authored by her late husband Ed Clayton and co-authored by Xernona in the revised editions, has been published in several languages. Xernona Clayton’s autobiography, “I’ve Been Marching All the Time,” was published in 1991.
Xernona Clayton is the Founder, President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and Creator and Executive Producer of the Foundation’s Trumpet Awards. The Trumpet Awards is a prestigious event highlighting African American accomplishments and contributions. Ms. Clayton began her television career in 1967 and became the south’s first Black person to have her own television show. The Xernona Clayton show was a regular feature on WAGA-TV, a CBS affiliate in Atlanta.
Along with her other honors, she has received the first Coretta Scott King Award from the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), the Madam C. J. Walker Award from EBONY’S Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications, and the Outstanding Corporate Professional Award from the Power Networking Family. The Atlanta City Council honored her by naming a street and a park in downtown Atlanta.
She is married to Judge Paul L. Brady and is a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church (formerly co-pastored by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr). She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Mrs. Clayton, along with a handful of our local choirs and pastors, will be a part of our lineup at this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Celebration. You don’t want to miss it! Please be on the lookout for details on our City Facebook and Instagram pages, and follow our Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Celebration event page for the news.
PARADE INFORMATION
We invite you to bring your family, friends, and neighbors to join in the fun for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Parade as well as the multiple events taking place over the weekend at the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex (445 SW 2nd Street)!
Parade Theme
The parade theme will be determined at a later date.
Participate in Parade
If you would like to apply to participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Parade, click here for the application (application will be available once a theme and date have been approved).
Each participant should read the complete application regarding event details, award categories, entry form and waiver information outlined in application link above.
The deadline for entry forms to be returned to The Committee is TBD. Chosen participants will receive a confirmation by TBD. Applications can be returned via:
- e-mail (dfbspecialevents@deerfield-beach.com) or
- Mail to:
- City of Deerfield Beach c/o Parks and Recreation
Attn: Special Events
401A SW 4th St.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
- City of Deerfield Beach c/o Parks and Recreation
Parade Categories
| Categories | Winners |
|---|---|
| Best Theme Float | TBD |
| Best Overall Float | TBD |
| Best Band | TBD |
| Best Youth Marching Group | TBD |
| Best Church Entry | TBD |
| Judges Choice | TBD |
Parade Map & Route
This year the parade will line up at St. Ambrose Church 308 S Federal Hwy); we ask that you check-in at 8:30 AM. The parade will begin at 10:00 AM and will go north on S Federal Hwy, west on Hillsboro Boulevard, south on Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave, west on SW 2nd street, ending at the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex (445 SW 2nd Street).
(insert map image and clickable full-size image of the map)