The Office of General Services has announced the 2026 celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which will be held at the Empire State Plaza in Albany on January 14th at 5:30 pm. The celebration will feature gospel singer and two-time Grammy Award nominee Melvin Crispell, III.
In Commissioner Moy’s announcement, she said that this year’s celebration is “proud to feature artists, activists, and educators from across New York State who exemplify Dr. King’s Principles through their work.” 
Melvin Cripsell, III comes from a family of successful musicians and artists; both his parents, Melvin Crispell Jr., and Tunesha Crispell, are well-known for their gospel singing. Melvin Crispell III won the ninth season of BET’s Sunday Best in 2019, released his first album, “I’ve Got a Testimony,” in 2020, and another album, “No Failure,” in 2023. He is additionally a two-time Stellar Award winner, a six-time Stellar Award nominee, a two-time Grammy Award nominee, and a four-time Dove Award nominee.
The event will also have performances by Gwen Laster, a Violinist, and Taína Asili, an interdisciplinary artist. In addition, the event will include guest speakers, such as Dr. John B. King Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY). The event will also open with Rabbi Deborah K. Bravo and Imam Mansoor Rafiq Umar, who will lead an invocation. The event will then close with Reverend Michael-Aaron Poindexter and Pandit Srinivasa Sharma Vavilala.
In addition, the morning before the event, starting at 10:00 am, the Dr. King Volunteer Fair will take place, giving participants the opportunity to learn more about how they can get involved in civic and community programs.
A brief schedule is listed below:
10:00am to 2:00pm: Dr. King Volunteer Fair at the Empire State Plaza concourse.
5:30pm: Evening Reception with activities and art display by Erin L.Kuhn and students from Jefferson Community College (SUNY)
6:30pm: Official Event begins with Invocation by Rabbi Deborah K. Bravo and Imam Mansoor Rafiq Umar. Followed by welcoming remarks by Commissioner Jeanette Moy and a screening of Beloved Community film.
6:40pm: Remarks from Dr. John B. King, Jr., the SUNY Chancellor. Performance by Taína Asili, followed by Gwen Laster
7:00pm: Performance by Melvin Crispell, III
7:30pm: Benediction by Reverend Michael-Aaron Poindexter and Pandit Srinivasa Sharma Vavilala, followed by closing remarks from Commissioner Moy.
Please know the event will be taking donations for the MLK food drive or book drive. More information can be found on the Empire State Plaza website.
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