PHOTOS: MLK Day service 2026

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PHOTOS: MLK Day service 2026

The Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock speaks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. In addition to being one of Georgia's senators in Washington, he is the senior pastor at Ebenezer. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Bernice A. King, daughter of the civil rights icon, speaks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff greets City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet before the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

People find their seats before the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. This year’s observance came days after what would have been the 97th birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and marks the 41st anniversary of the federal holiday established in his honor. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A woman prepares an Instagram post before the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet poses for a photo before the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A man walks toward the church before the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

People fill the church to capacity during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

The Covington Regional Ballet performs during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. This year’s observance came days after what would have been the 97th birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and marks the 41st anniversary of the federal holiday established in his honor. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

The Covington Regional Ballet performs during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

The Rev. Natosha Reid Rice and the Rev. Reginald Sharpe Jr. deliver the opening remarks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Sun shines on the Wall of Pastors during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

People line up outside the church during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Bernice A. King opens with, “Today is the day the Lord has made,” during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A man films a livestream of Bernice A. King during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

People applaud and cheer after Bernice A. King’s speech during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. This year’s observance came days after what would have been the 97th birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and marks the 41st anniversary of the federal holiday established in his honor. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Students recite excerpts from the book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

An African American Heritage Hymnal rests in a pew during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

The Rev. A. R. Bernard smiles during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A young boy peers through the doors during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Siara White gives a tribute to Coretta Scott King during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Bernice A. King hugs Siara White after her tribute to Coretta Scott King during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

People listen to remarks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens speaks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A woman listens to remarks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

The Korean Children’s Choir performs during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

The Korean Children’s Choir performs during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A woman sings during worship at the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Candice “Pretty Stringz” Smith plays the violin during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Deya Fleming is moved to tears during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Fleming has been to the service the past five years. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A woman takes notes during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

People hold programs during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Tramaine Hawkins and Pastor Shirley Caesar sing during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Gospel music legend Shirley Caesar was among the performers during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A young boy pumps his fist in worship during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A young boy looks at his parents during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A young boy raises his hand during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A young boy holds a program during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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Credit: abcutrer@gmail.com

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock speaks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. In addition to being one of Georgia's senators in Washington, he is the senior pastor at Ebenezer. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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