Ames/Story County Community MLK Day Celebration

Program Type:

Special Event

Age Group:

Family, Teens, Adults

Program Description

Program Details


Join us for the annual Ames/Story County Community MLK Day Celebration at the City Hall Gymnasium for a social from 6 to 6:30pm. The main program will be held in the City Auditorium at 6:30pm.

The event will also be available virtually via Facebook Live or live on YouTube:

Dr. Toyia K. Younger, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs at Iowa State University, will be the keynote speaker. She previously served as Vice President for Leadership Development and Partnerships at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Younger holds a bachelor’s degree in social relations from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in counseling from Trinity Washington University, and a Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Maryland. 

As part of the MLK Celebration Event, all Story County high school students were invited to enter the fourth annual MLK Celebration Essay Contest. Students are asked to share how Dr. King, Jr. impacted their life or the lives of family, friends, and community, which helps motivate and inspire others to continue his legacy. 

The winners of the contest will be announced by Monday, Jan. 13, with the first prize winner being invited to read the winning essay at the MLK Celebration on Monday, Jan. 20. 

During the event, the Ames Human Relations Commission (AHRC) will be recognizing the recipient of the annual Humanitarian Award, an honor given to an Ames resident whose contributions to the community demonstrate extraordinary quality, including efforts to promote diversity, fairness, and equality. 

More information about the 2025 Ames/Story County MLK Celebration is available at: 


The community celebration is co-sponsored by the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, Ames Human Relations Commission, Ames Police Foundation, Ames Public Library, Ames Water and Pollution Control Department, Body of Christ Church (BCC), City of Ames, Hy-Vee Lincoln Center, Rotary Club of Ames, Wayne and Edna Clinton, Story County League of Women Voters, United Church of Christ (UCC), NAACP – Ames branch, and YWCA Ames-ISU. 

Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.