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RACINE —The 15th annual MLK Wreath Laying Ceremony featured a day of honor and a call to action for the city as officials remembered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event this year called on the community to break the silence and continue speaking out against inequality.

The annual ceremony was held Friday, Jan. 13 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, 909 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Racine.

Petals by Felicia created and sponsored the wreath. It is currently on display at the plaza.

Minister Dadra Lockridge, Lisa Parham of The Racine Mirror, Mayor Cory Mason, Chief of Police Maurice Robinson, and Emcee Cory Prince stand before the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, 909 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Racine on Jan 13.

The event is sponsored and supported by The Racine Mirror Newspaper, Insider News Racine, Hispanic Reflections Newspaper, Racine Women for Racial Justice, and other community sponsors.

Community unites in honor of MLK

Elected officials, city workers, police officers, members of the fire department, and community members attended the event.

The ceremony opened with the Racine Police Department Honor Guard presenting the colors as the Star-Spangled Banner played.

Miketra Steves a performer at the events stands beside local firefighters during the MLK Wreath Laying Ceremony.

Mayor Cory Mason, County Executive Jonathon Delagrave, Chief of Police Maurice Robinson, and RUSD’s Superintendent Eric Gallien gave their remarks, stressing the importance of breaking the silence and coming together as a community.

Additionally, Minister Dadra Lockridge and Pastor Melvin Hargrove delivered prayers.

Pastor Keith Evans, of Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church, the keynote speaker reflected on Dr. King’s life as a civil rights leader. 

Students from Gilmore Fine Arts were present and sang during the event too. Following their performance, Miketra Steves performed a solo.

Racine Police Department Honor Guard presenting the colors at the MLK Wreath Laying Ceremony in Racine, Wisconsin

A wreath was placed in front of the statue to honor Martin Luther King. Students from Gilmore Fine Arts assisted the Emcee, Cory Prince, in setting the wreath in front of the MLK.

Event organizers encourage people to attend the MLK Day event on Monday, Jan. 16 at 11:45 a.m. at Festival Hall, 5 5th St., Racine.

Watch the 2023 Wreath Laying Ceremony online.

  • Students in the Gilmore Fine Arts choir sang at the 15th annual event
  • Soloist Miketra Steves sings a song before the wreath was laid at the MLK plaza.
  • Gilmore Fine Arts choir students take the wreath off the stand and prepare to hand it to their classmates.
  • Students from Gilmore Fine Arts put their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem.
  • The wreath, designed by Petals by Felicia, in front of the statue.

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