Upcoming Events
Martin Luther King Center hosts a variety of annual events including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, Soul of the City, Thanksgiving Meals and Children’s Holiday Gifts.
Registration Opens: 49th Annual Children's Holiday Gifts
The Martin Luther King Center is pleased to present the 49th Annual Children’s Holiday Gift Giveaway!
This event provides wrapped gifts and other goodies for children ages 3-12 residing in the Quad Cities area.
Registration begins November 3rd. More details to come!
36th Annual Thanksgiving Meals
Enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal from the MLK Center.
All are welcome!
We invite the entire Quad Cities community to enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal.
Meals include turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans, corn, roll/cranberry sauce and dessert.
Curbside service is available at (* while supplies last each day):
MLK Center (630 9th Street, Rock Island)
Friday, 11/21: 12pm-5pm* (drive-through only)
Saturday, 11/22: 11am-5pm* (drive-through & 25 meal minimum delivery)
Sunday, 11/23: 12pm-4 pm* (dine-in only)
Big Brothers Big Sisters (3247 E 35th St Ct, Davenport)
TBD
Click here to volunteer!
Order large meal orders here. (*Delivery option available for orders with 25+ meals.)
Sponsorships available by calling (309) 732-2999!
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
#TakeBackDay offers a safe and free opportunity for communities across the nation to dispose of old medications discreetly. On October 25th, from 10am to 2pm, bring your unused prescription drugs to a nearby collection site. Visit www.DEATakeBack.com to find one near you.
West End Revitalization Community Celebration
West End Revitalization Participatory Budgeting Winning Proposal Announcement
Soul of the City
Join the MLK Center, Rock Island Parks and Recreation, The West End Rib Fest, Community Caring Conference, and the Rock Island County NAACP for Soul of the City 2025 — an outdoor community block party celebrating culture, diversity, strong neighborhoods, and families.
Nearly 5,000 people attend each year, making this one of the largest celebrations in Rock Island. Admission is free and open to all.
Festivities begin with the Soul of the City Parade at 10:00 AM, starting at Frances Willard Elementary School (25th Avenue and 9th Street) and marching north on 9th Street before disbanding at Franklin Field.
Highlights
Performances & Entertainment
Jesse White Tumblers
Funktastic Five
Rock Island Boxing Club exhibition
Dynamic Status Gems Dance Team
Six of the QC’s most sought-after DJs
Food & Vendors
West End Rib Festival & Contest
Food trucks & local vendors
Community resource booths
Family Fun
Kidz Zone with bounce houses, games, and activities
Face painting & balloon twisting
Youth activities and GoCarts with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
West End Revitalization Community Meeting
Join us for the next steps in the Participatory Budgeting Process!
West End Revitalization Community Meeting
Join us for an evening of celebration, updates, and action. This is a follow-up to our April gathering and we’re keeping the momentum going.
West End Revitalization Update
West End Revitalization Update is Tuesday, April 29th from 5pm-7pm.
Join us for an exciting update on the West End Revitalization! We'll be sharing the latest progress, upcoming plans, and ways you can get involved in transforming the heart of our community. This is an Open House and everyone is invited to attend and learn more. Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference!
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday, April 26th from 10 AM to 2 PM, with easy drop-off locations at Rock Island County Justice Center, Milan Police Department, Moline Police Department, East Moline Police Department, and Silvis Police Department.
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. Pills, patches, vaping devices, and cartridges will be accepted.*Be sure to remove device batteries *No sharps *No liquids
MLK's 50th Anniversary Open House
This event is FREE & open to everyone—whether you’ve been part of our journey for years or you’re just learning about us, we’d love to celebrate with you!
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
United Way has trained volunteers from the community help prepare basic, current year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge! For more information about the VITA program, visit their website here.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards
Join us in-person or virtually for the 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10:30am on Monday, January 20th, 2025
48th Annual Children's Holiday Gifts
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. ALL AVAILABLE SPOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED.
35th Annual Thanksgiving Meals
Enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal! All are welcome!
Soul of the City (Family Fun Day & Parade)
The Annual Family Fun Day & Parade is back for a fun filled 2 day event! Admission is free and all are welcomed!
4th Annual Community Bike Ride
Enjoy bike riding? Join our 4th annual community bike ride!
National Drug Take Back Day
The National Drug Take-Back Day event provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for disposal.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards
Join us in-person or virtually for the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10:30am on Monday, January 15th, 2024.
47th Annual Children's Holiday Gifts
Registration is CLOSED. All available slots have been filled.
34th Annual Thanksgiving Meals
Enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal! All are welcome!
2nd Annual Product Drive - PAD
Can’t make it to the event but would like to donate? Donations are accepted year-round! Please visit our center Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm to drop off donations!
Family Fun Day & Parade
The Annual Family Fun Day & Parade is back for a fun filled 2 day event! Admission is free and all are welcomed!
3rd Annual Community Bike Ride
Enjoy bike riding? Join our 3rd annual community bike ride!
Born Learning Virtual Academy
Born Learning Academies are a series of 6 workshops for parents who are either expecting a child or have a child who hasn't yet entered kindergarten. All academies are limited to 20 families and are available first come, first served.
National Drug Take Back Day
The National Drug Take-Back Day event provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for disposal.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
United Way has trained volunteers from the community help prepare basic, current year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge! For more information about the VITA program, visit their website here.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards
Join us in-person or virtually for the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service & Awards, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10:30am on Monday, January 16th.
46th Annual Children's Holiday Gifts
All spots have been filled, registration has CLOSED!
33rd Annual Thanksgiving Meals
Enjoy a delicious, free Thanksgiving meal, either curbside or delivery. All are welcome!
Family Fun Day & Parade
The MLK Center invites you to our outdoor community block party! This event celebrates all cultures and welcomes nearly 3,000 community members!
Teen Movie Night
Join us for a Teen Movie Night! Bring your blanket, pillow and snacks! The MLK Center will host a viewing of the movie “Spiderman - No way home” Click here to register for this FREE event.
Interested in a career in construction? Start by attending one of BHC orientation sessions.
The MLK Center will host an orientation session for the Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) at Black Hawk College. This program aims to prepare people to work in the building trades and to increase the number of minorities, women and disadvantaged persons working on Illinois Department of Transportation projects. Register for an orientation session here or call 309-796-5729.