This Saturday, Columbus celebrates 25th annual MLK Youth Oratorical

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:
Beth Berkemer
(614) 565-6767 cell
EABerkemer@columbus.gov

This Saturday, City of Columbus celebrates
25th annual MLK Youth Oratorical contest
Central Ohio students honor Dr. King's legacy through powerful speeches

COLUMBUS—The City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods will host the City’s milestone 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest. It will showcase the voices of K-12 students from across Central Ohio as they deliver original speeches that reflect the life, work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This year’s anniversary celebration will feature a day of youth empowerment, recognition and celebration. In addition to advancing to the statewide MLK Oratorical Contest in April 2026, Columbus winners may be invited to speak at other high-profile MLK events across the city.

Students compete in four divisions – Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Junior (6-8) and Senior (9-12). Each participant delivers a memorized speech in front of a panel of judges who evaluate content, delivery, originality and connection to Dr. King’s values.

This year’s statewide theme is: “I am a new generation leader: An architect of transformational change”. Participants had the option to write and deliver speeches based on this theme or other topics related to Dr. King's vision, values and impact.

What:         City of Columbus’ 25th annual MLK Youth Oratorical Contest hosted by the Department of Neighborhoods

When:        Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
 9:00 a.m. – Doors open
9:30 a.m. – Speeches begin
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch
12:30-1:40 p.m. – Awards program

Where:       Columbus State Community College, Center for Workforce Development 315 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH 43215

Who:          Central Ohio students in grades K–12 along with families, educators and community leaders.

Judges:

  • Nancy Day-Achauer – Councilmember, Columbus City Council
  • Charmaine Chambers – Deputy City Clerk, City of Columbus
  • Yolanda Cooper – Principal, Woodcrest Elementary School
  • Lindora Diawara – Community Relations Coordinator, New American Program and Administrative Coordinator, CIRA with City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods
  • Pam O’Grady – Deputy Director, City of Columbus, Department of Technology
  • Judge Jaiza Page – Judge, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
  • Susie Shipley-Norwood – Senior Director of Prevention Services, Community for New Direction
  • Scott Varner – Communications Director, Franklin County Children Services
  • Sean Walton Jr. – Partner, Walton Brown Law LLP
  • Roderick Watson – Assistant Principal, Westerville South High School

    Awards program speakers and performers:
  • Craig Conley, City of Columbus Mayor’s Office Deputy Chief of Staff
  • Kym Douglas, City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods Director
  • Sheri-Lynn Wynn, City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Afterschool Program Administrator
  • Keymiah Pruitt-Reese, vocalist and student from Northland High School
  • J. Averi Frost, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commissioner and State Oratorical Committee member
  • Tanner Rainer, 2024 intermediate MLK Youth Oratorical winner
  • Cynthia Amoah, Columbus-based Ghanaian-American poet
  • Eryn Hathaway, EPIC Youth Executive Director
  • Dr. Vincent Hill, Office of Student Engagement and Belonging Assistant Director for Columbus State Community College

The event and parking are free and open to the public.

Free parking map and directions attached as a PDF.

NOTE: Photos, graphics, interviews and B-roll may be available upon request.

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Department of Neighborhoods, City of Columbus
 The Department of Neighborhoods works from a foundation of devoted residents, committed neighborhood leaders and a dedicated City workforce to resolve community concerns and tap into neighborhood potential, helping to build a stronger, more equitable Columbus. As the “front door” to the city, the Department of Neighborhoods empowers residents, responds to their needs and protects their rights.

 

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