36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast Returns to Minneapolis
For more than three decades, Minnesota’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast has combined remembrance with action by investing in education and college access. The 36th annual gathering returns January 19, 2026, bringing national voices, local culture, and a continued commitment to Dr. King’s call to service and equity.
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast returns January 19 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, supporting college access for Twin Cities students.
For more than three decades, one of Minnesota’s most enduring tributes to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has unfolded not as a march or rally, but around a breakfast table centered on education, opportunity, and collective responsibility.
On Monday, January 19, 2026, General Mills and UNCF will host the 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The event runs from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., with doors opening at 6:45 a.m., and stands among the largest annual Dr. King breakfast celebrations in the nation.
The Minneapolis based gathering continues a tradition launched in 1991, combining remembrance with action by raising funds to support college access and completion for students across the Twin Cities.
A Theme Rooted in Dr. King’s Call to Service
This year’s theme, “Make a Career of Humanity,” draws from Dr. King’s call for lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and service. The framing reflects the event’s long-standing focus on translating Dr. King’s words into tangible investment in young people, particularly students navigating barriers to higher education.
Proceeds from the breakfast support UNCF Twin Cities, advancing its mission to help students get to and through college. The organization has played a critical role in expanding educational pathways for Black students and others historically excluded from higher education.
National Voices and Local Impact
The 2026 program will feature keynote presentations from Soledad O’Brien and Freeman A. Hrabowski III.
O’Brien is widely recognized for her work as a documentarian and media entrepreneur through Soledad O’Brien Productions, a company focused on elevating underrepresented voices and telling complex, human centered stories. Her recent projects include nationally recognized documentaries released through HBO and Netflix, further cementing her role as a leading voice in contemporary journalism.
Hrabowski brings a lifelong commitment to civil rights and education equity. As President Emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, he is nationally known for advancing minority participation and achievement in STEM fields and graduate education. His work continues to influence conversations around leadership, workforce development, and civic engagement.
Together, the keynote presentations are expected to anchor the morning in both reflection and forward looking dialogue.
Music, Culture, and Community Tradition
Musical entertainment will be provided by Billy Steele, a member of the legendary Steele family and a three-time Grammy winner with Sounds of Blackness. Steele will perform alongside a curated group of local musicians, bringing decades of experience as a performer, writer, and producer to the stage.
The inclusion of local artistry has long been a defining feature of the breakfast, reinforcing the event’s grounding in Minnesota’s Black cultural community.
A Legacy Built Over Decades
Since its founding, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast has welcomed an extraordinary range of national leaders, cultural figures, and advocates. Past speakers have included civil rights icons, elected officials, journalists, and scholars whose work reflects Dr. King’s enduring influence on American life.
The event’s longevity reflects a sustained partnership between General Mills and UNCF, alongside broad corporate and community support. Presenting sponsor Best Buy is joined by a wide network of organizations that continue to invest in the breakfast’s mission year after year.
Beyond the Breakfast
The event also encourages participants to engage in service as part of the broader Dr. King Day of action. Volunteer opportunities across the Twin Cities are highlighted through HandsOn Twin Cities, reinforcing the message that commemoration is inseparable from community engagement.
The breakfast will be broadcast live on WCCO AM, streamed later in the day on CBS News Minnesota’s free streaming channel, and featured on Minnesota Public Radio, extending its reach beyond the convention center.
Continuing the Work
As the Twin Cities mark another Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Holiday Breakfast remains a reminder that honoring Dr. King’s legacy requires sustained investment in education, equity, and collective care. Thirty six years in, the gathering continues to function as both memorial and mandate, calling the community to action through opportunity.
Event: 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: Minneapolis Convention Center
Tickets and Information: MLKBreakfast.com