Holly Springs (NC) MLK Committee marks 12th Unity Weekend with two days of events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy
Founded to carry Dr. King’s ideals beyond a single day, the local committee blends service, education, and community dialogue into a year-round mission rooted in Holly Springs.
Holly Springs, NC, Jan. 10, 2026 — Each January, communities across the country observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader’s life and work and designated as a National Day of Service. The holiday is intended not only as a moment of remembrance but also as a call to action, encouraging Americans to engage in service, reflection, and community building.
In Holly Springs, that national observance has evolved into a locally rooted tradition led by the Holly Springs Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Committee, which will host its 12th Annual Unity Weekend Celebration (website) on Saturday and Sunday, January 17th and 18th.
A local organization with a year-round mission
The Holly Springs MLK Committee was formed more than a decade ago to ensure that Dr. King’s principles of unity, equality, and nonviolent service remain active in the community year-round, not solely on a single holiday. Since its founding, the committee has focused on education, service, and civic engagement, working with churches, schools, nonprofits, and residents across Holly Springs and the surrounding area.
In addition to Unity Weekend, the committee supports a range of initiatives, including:
Scholarships for students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to community service
Juneteenth programming that highlights Black history and the ongoing pursuit of freedom and equality
Community outreach efforts, including food distribution and service partnerships
Fundraising events, such as an annual golf tournament, help sustain programming and scholarships
Membership and volunteer opportunities are open to the public, with the goal of building a broad base of community involvement that reflects Dr. King’s belief in collective responsibility.
For committee leaders, Unity Weekend represents both reflection and renewal.
“Unity Weekend is about more than remembering Dr. King. It’s about bringing people together across backgrounds and generations to reflect, learn, and recommit ourselves to serving this community, not just on MLK Day, but throughout the year,” said Furman Beckwith, Chairperson of the Holly Springs MLK Committee.
Two days of reflection, remembrance, and community
The 2026 Unity Weekend will take place across multiple locations and feature worship, dialogue, and community gathering under the theme “Forward Ever, Backward Never.”
Saturday, January 17th, will begin with a Breakfast and Morning Program at St. Mary’s FWB Church, located at 9305 Holly Springs Road in Apex. The program begins at 9:00 a.m. and will feature Dr. Kimberley Richards, founder of The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond in Picayune, Mississippi, as the guest speaker.
Sunday, January 18th, will open with the Memorial Walk, beginning at 2:30 p.m. from Oak Hall Shopping Center in Holly Springs. Participants will then gather for an Afternoon Program at the Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine Street, with programming beginning at 3:30 p.m. Sunday’s guest speaker will be Minister Masen Jones of St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina.
Why the MLK holiday still matters
More than half a century after Dr. King’s leadership helped shape the Civil Rights Movement, the holiday that bears his name continues to highlight unfinished work toward justice, equity, and opportunity. As a National Day of Service, Martin Luther King Jr. Day encourages communities to translate remembrance into meaningful action.
In Holly Springs, the MLK Committee’s Unity Weekend, along with its year-round programming, aims to do just that, creating space for dialogue, service, and shared experience while strengthening community connections.
More information about the Holly Springs MLK Committee, its programs, and Unity Weekend events is available at hsmlk.org. You can contact the committee by sending email to hsmlkjrcommittee@gmail.com.
RELATED EVENTS
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Monday, January 19, 2026 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Hunt Recreation Center, 301 Stinson Ave., Holly Springs
Following Unity Weekend, residents are invited to take part in the fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a hands-on community volunteer event honoring Dr. King’s legacy through action.
Volunteers will gather in the Hunt Recreation Center multipurpose room to help complete a section of a large paint-by-number mural, transforming individual contributions into a shared piece of community art. The location holds historic significance, as the center is named for W.E. Hunt, a former community leader and principal of the school for Black children that once stood on the site.
No prior art experience is required. All supplies will be provided, and volunteers are encouraged to wear clothing suitable for painting. The project is intended for participants ages 16 and older; youth ages 10–15 are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Preregistration is required to ensure adequate supplies.
Register here.
Black Expressions
January 9th – March 2nd, 2026
Holly Springs Cultural Center
Also beginning in January, Black Expressions returns to the Cultural Center with an extended exhibition celebrating Black art, culture, identity, and creative expression. Visitors can explore visual art displays throughout the run of the exhibit.
A signature event is scheduled for February 27th, featuring an evening of visual art, live performances, and opportunities to engage directly with local Black artists. The program will include performances in the Cultural Center theater, highlighting Triangle-area talent, with refreshments provided by Christine’s Plates.
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