​​2027 Dr. Martin luther King Jr. BREAKFAST CELEBRATION
​January 18, 2027 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. |Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris
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Our theme for 2027 is Cultivating Compassion: Listening Across Differences, Acting for Justice. This year's Westerville MLK Breakfast Celebration will explore the theme of Cultivating Compassion and the role compassion plays in building Dr. King's Beloved Community. Compassion is not a passive feeling but an active pursuit that requires us to listen, learn, and engage.The conversation will focus on three pillars of cultivating compassion:
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• Inform – Increasing our understanding of the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of others.
• Inspire – Highlighting individuals and organizations working to address inequities and strengthen our communities.
• Involve – Encouraging action and commitment.

Our panelists include Dr. Joseph Oteng, Visiting Professor at Georgetown University; Dr. Rhonda Talford McClure, Chief Inclusion Officer at Otterbein University; and Tre Douglas, English Learner (EL) Facilitator for Westerville City Schools.

Our panelists will share their perspectives on why it is important to educate ourselves about the issues affecting our communities, recognize and support those working toward solutions, and find ways to become actively involved. Through their insights and experiences, attendees will be invited to consider how compassion can move beyond awareness and become a catalyst for justice, connection, and collective action.

If you have a question you would like to ask our panelists, please fill out this form.

Nominations for the 2027 Alston and Fouse Awards are now open. Winners will ber recognized at the breakfast celebration.

Reserve your tickets now!

2027 Sponsors

2027 Table Sponsors

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watch the 2023 Breakfast CElebration

​THE HISTORY OF THE WESTERVILLE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST

​The first Westerville, Ohio breakfast to honor Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was held January 3, 2006 at Heritage Christian Church. The senior pastor of that congregation, Rev. Jim Zippay launched the event. He was joined by Reverend Vaughn Bell of Westerville’s Triumphant Church of God. A community committee representing the city government, schools, Otterbein University, the library, and interested local residents began planning the annual events.

Beginning in 2008, annual awards were presented to adults and youth in the community whose actions represented the ideals of Dr. King. The following year with the assistance of Otterbein University the committee began encouraging residents to provide community service and participate in activities that spread the message of Dr. King. As the breakfast attendance grew and the committee brought speakers from out of state, new community support was sought. Leadership Westerville took the committee under its wing and provided website and social media assistance along with financial guidance.
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Through the years the committee brought quality speakers from around the country to present at the breakfast. Eventually speakers were contracted to spend several days in Westerville to provide time for more interactive presentations with Otterbein students and with local residents. Speakers have included: Jefferson Thomas, a member of the Little Rock Nine; Robert Peeples, a World War II Tuskegee Airman, Debbie Irving, author of Waking up White; and Dr. Gayle Fisher-Stewart, pastor of Calvary Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.