MLK Day Celebration to be Held on Jan. 19; Keynote Speaker is Quentin
Published on January 15, 2026
AMES, Iowa – The City of Ames is joining the Ames/Story County MLK Celebration Committee in honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a celebration beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, at Ames City Auditorium, 520 Sixth St. (north side of City Hall). Birthday cookies will be served at 6 p.m. The event will also be available virtually via Facebook Live or live on YouTube.
Quentin Hart, former mayor of Waterloo, will be the keynote speaker. Hart served five terms as Waterloo’s first African American mayor, leading the city through a period of major transformation from 2016 to 2025. His leadership includes induction into the Iowa League of Cities Hall of Fame, the 2024 Iowa Mayor of the Year title, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus.
Hart is active in national leadership organizations and previously served as Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs at Hawkeye Community College. He holds degrees from Minnesota State and the University of Northern Iowa.
As part of the MLK Celebration, all Story County high school students were invited to enter the sixth annual MLK Celebration Essay Contest. Students were 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 Ames Human Relations Commission (AHRC) will be recognizing the 2026 MLK Essay Contest winners:
- Ada McKilligan, a freshman at Gilbert High School, received first place and will be awarded $500 for the essay titled, "A Generation of Hope.”
- Glory Nlebedim, a junior at Ames High School, received second place and will be awarded $300 for the essay titled, “Keep Moving Forward: Turning Struggle into Purpose."
Also, the AHRC will present its annual Humanitarian Award to Ames resident Gale Gehling. The Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals whose contributions to the Ames community demonstrate extraordinary quality, especially in efforts to promote wellbeing and belonging in Ames.
More information about the 2026 Ames/Story County MLK Celebration is available at: www.Facebook.com/AmesMLKCelebration.
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