MLK Day 2026
Tickets Still Available for Delaware County's Jan. 19 Celebration at Ohio Wesleyan
DELAWARE, Ohio – Tickets remain available for the 33rd annual Delaware County celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to be held Jan. 19, 2026, at Ohio Wesleyan University.
The theme of Delaware's 2026 MLK celebration is "The Lantern Keepers: Preserving the Flame of Justice." Sierra Austin-King, Ph.D., will serve as the keynote speaker. Austin-King is an assistant professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Black Studies, with teaching and research experiences at The Ohio State and Denison universities, as well as the Ohio Reformatory for Women.
Pastor Alvin Asiamah of Soul Restoration Ministry in Pickerington, Ohio, will provide the opening prayer, and Chrissy T, a Columbus-based vocalist, actress, and educator, will provide a musical performance.
The Jan. 19 community celebration also will include a "wax museum" in Ohio Wesleyan's Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, with students portraying historical figures.
Individual tickets are $35, with event sponsorship available for $260 for a table of eight. Doors will open at 9:45 a.m., brunch will begin at 10 a.m., and the program will run from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in the Ohio Wesleyan Benes Rooms, 40 Rowland Ave., Delaware, Ohio.
Program proceeds will continue to benefit the Delaware County Martin Luther King Scholarship Program.
To learn more or purchase tickets, visit owu.edu/MLK. Online purchases will continue through Jan. 9. Please contact Dawn Chisebe at dmchiseb@owu.edu for more information on being part of Delaware's 2026 MLK Celebration, including sponsorship opportunities.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.