Everett Spencer, “The Messenger,” drums on the steps of the Capitol in Salt Lake City as attendees prepare to march to the Eccles Theater during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Community members gathered Monday for the annual Beloved Community event in honor of the state’s Martin Luther King Day celebration
Monday’s events mark a historic statewide expansion, bringing Utahns together from across the state to honor the life, legacy and universal vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In Salt Lake City, community leaders young and old speaking and reading King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, musical numbers, a celebration walk from the Capitol South Steps to the Eccles Theatre, and other activities.
Other events included a service project at Thanksgiving Point.
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Deseret News photojournalist Rio Giancarlo documented the holiday event on Monday.
Attendees of the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community walk to the Eccles theater from the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The colors are presented during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City, looks on as a tribute video recognizing her public service plays during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Rev. Oscar T. Moses gives opening remarks during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Glasses hang on Abi Goddey’s shirt as he performs a spoken word poem during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Attendees listen to Katie Wright as she speaks during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Everett Spencer “The Messenger” drums during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Event emcee Deja Brown encourages attendees to connect with those around them at the beginning of the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Chloe Flowers performs the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Maya Britt, right, applauds after Chloe Flowers performed “Lift Everything Voice and Sing” during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
David Hollins applauds as his wife, Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City, wipes her eyes after being recognized during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Attendees sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Deja Brown, center left, and Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City, embrace before Hollins takes the stage to address attendees at the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Stacy Waggoner, left, applauds as Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City, prepares to speak during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Cleopatra Balfour, event organizer and founder of Beloved Community, speaks during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A detail of the flower headband worn by Chloe Flowers during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Attendees listen to speakers during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Yahosh Bonner, of American Fork, smiles as his son Nehemiah, 9, helps him recite Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a Dream” speech during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Salt Lake City police officers help block traffic as attendees of the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community walk to the Eccles Theater from the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City, speaks during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Rev. Stanley Ellington speaks during the Utah Martin Luther King Day Celebration hosted by Beloved Community at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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