Springfield's MLK Day March Centers On Building Community, Uniting In Work For Justice

Centering on building and displaying community in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, more than 200 Springfieldians gathered and marched in unity in below-freezing temperatures early Monday morning. Hymnals from the Civil Rights Movement and chants of “This is what community looks like” rung out through the streets of downtown Springfield as march-goers bundled in scarves and hats made their way across the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge.

An annual tradition, the march and the programming that followed hosted by the Springfield NAACP highlighted King’s work and called on the local community to continue that work. With this year’s theme being “Creating the Beloved Community,” NAACP President Kai Sutton urged those in attendance to put in the work it takes to recommit to love, justice and nonviolence.

“Let us remember that the beloved community is not just an ideal to be admired from afar, but a tangible reality that we can build together,” she said during the program. “It is a community where every individual is valued, where diversity is celebrated and where justice is the foundation of our interactions.”

More than a hundred people participated in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march through Downtown Springfield on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

The march began at the Brightspeed Ice Park and continued toward the Gillioz Theatre. Through the event, donations of warm clothing were collected for the local cold weather shelters.

“It’s important now more than ever, just because of everything that’s happening in the world,” Sutton told the News-Leader as she called on locals to join the local NAACP chapter. “What better time to amplify his message, to come together and display, you know, his legacy, his work. Bring people from the community, bring them in, lift up their voices, so that other people can feel inspired as well … and push through fear.”

Marlin Barber, assistant vice president for Inclusive Engagement and Faculty Development at Missouri State University, noted the justice work still needed in today’s world and the injustices that still remain more than 50 years later as he spoke during the program.

“That one could take literally the same arguments being made today about the lack of access to adequate housing, economic opportunities, social, political injustice, and see the stark parallels to the 1950s and 60s is almost enough for some to question, ‘Was any progress made at all between 1965 and 2025?'” he said. “This isn’t ancient history — we’re still living in this … We’re living in a world where some wish to turn back the clock on rights, liberties, education, access and opportunity, all in the name of maintaining a manufactured status quo rooted in the privilege of a few.”

Barber motivated listeners to not settle for mediocracy and persevere in building a community which requires each person to pour into it, not wait for someone else to lead the way.

Connecting MLK’s legacy to today’s reality remained a central tenant throughout the event. The role elected officials play, and in turn voters who elect them, in ensuring equality and justice was highlighted by NAACP Springfield Vice President Kyler Sherman-Wilkins. He urged Springfieldians to pay attention to local elections, like those coming up on April 8 that include both city leaders and school board, for which he previously was a candidate, and hold those in office accountable.

“Elected officials hold the power to enact laws that protect our rights, dismantle systemic inequalities and cultivate an environment where all individuals, regardless of race, gender or background, have equal opportunities to thrive,” he said. “Just as Dr. King marched for justice, we must march to the polls, ensuring that our voices resonate in the halls of power.”

The program after the march also included performances by the Washington Avenue Choir and Dance Group, reading of Maya Angelou’s “Continue” by Pastor Tracey Wolff, retelling of his personal story by Kenneth Bedell, assistant professor at MSU and associate pastor at Sanctuary of Praise Church of God in Christ, and a spoken word performance by Professor Richard Todd Payne.

First time marchers emphasize unity

Despite the cold temperatures, some locals joined the march for the first time this year. Stephanie Rhoads decided to participate in the event when her daughter suggested it.

She said it was an asset for the community to have the space to join together and celebrate the legacy of MLK that still remains relevant today.

“It’s really unity and just uniting people as people, and that we should love all,” she said of that message.

More: Next markers on Springfield’s African-American Heritage Trail mapped and ready

For Khotso Moore, MSU’s NAACP treasurer, MLK’s nonviolent approach to the civil rights movement is what has remained a constant throughout his legacy. Moore said he hopes that part of the reverend’s work is never forgotten.

Also participating for the first time, being a part of the march was a way for Moore to meet different people from all walks of life while keeping history alive.

“Especially with so many different things going on in the world, I think it’s easy to push forward and not look back on, you know, what we’ve learned and what’s happened in our country,” he said.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: MLK Day march Springfield unites, builds community to continue legacy

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