35th Annual
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel Festival

Saturday, Jan 18, 2025 | Illinois Wesleyan University TIme | 2:00pm - 5:00pm (Doors open at 1:30pm) Bloomington - Illinois - IL Celebrating Dr. Kings' National Holiday

MLK Gospel Fest Event 2025

Performers

The Fantastic Jones Family

The Fantastic Jones Family

A Family that Prays, Sings, Praise & Worship Together... Pastor Jerry Jones & The Fantastic Jones Family. Gospel Recording Group that just celebrated 42 Years of Ministry. They are no strangers to witnessing the Gospel and believe it or not this is still just the beginning, for the Best Is Yet To Come!!.

Soul Rebels

Marcus G Robinson & Soul Rebels 4 Christ

Soul Rebels 4 Christ

Marcus G Robinson & Soul Rebels 4 Christ

A Soul Rebel is someone who sees the right thing to do, and even if it's hard, does it anyway!

We are a local only group available in McLean county

For booking information please contact soulrebels@yahoo.com

IWU Choral Ensemble

Illinois Wesleyan University School of Music

IWU Choral Ensemble

the flagship vocal ensemble for the School of Music at Illinois Wesleyan University

This ensemble is focused on presenting collegiate level choral literature at the highest level and has been visible both regionally and nationally as an invited choir for conferences of the American Choral Directors Association as well as internationally in many facets. Most recently the Choir won the overall Grand Prix at the 2024 Žilina Voce Magna Choral Competition in Zilina, Slovakia. .

The Choir is comprised of dedicated students in all majors at the School of Music as well as from various other academic disciplines throughout the university and is joined by audition only.

Xavier McSwain

XTJ Ministries

Xavier McSwain

XTJ Ministries

Joshua Cooper & 1AKORD

Joshua Cooper & 1Akord

Joshua Cooper & 1AKORD

Joshua Cooper & 1AKORD

Joshua Cooper & 1-Akord Reels, Peoria, Illinois.. Joshua Cooper & 1-Akord is a Small City wide Community Based Chorale ranging in age 16+.

United Community Gospel Singers

United Community Gospel Singers

The United Community Gospel Singers of Bloomington-Normal are a group that presents the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Gospel Festival in Bloomington, Illinois. The festival is presented in collaboration with Illinois Wesleyan University.

United Community Gospel Singers of Bloomington-Normal, formed in the 1960’s. Consisting of singers from church choirs from around the State of Illinois, with the purpose of building one community voice of peace and love.

2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Gospel Festival

About the Event

a way to influence the campus community to act with urgency, recognizing and pushing for change related to cultural understanding, cultural representation, and the need for training and development in the areas of equity and inclusion,”.

Past Speakers at the Festival Dinner

Timeline

19912003

1991
Martin Luther King, III

Eldest Son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

1992
Reverend Bernice A. King

Daugter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

1993
Reverend Dr. Bernice A. King

Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

1995
Reverend Vernono C. King

.

1997
Yolanda C.King

Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..

20022015

2002
Dorthy Cotton

Dorothy Cotton was an American civil rights activist, who was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement .

2004
Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State

2007

.

Honorable Wade H MaCree

first African American appointed as a United States circuit judge

2007
Reverend Joseph Lowery

Co-Founder of (S.C.L.C) Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

2010
Thomas Todd

Attorney Thomas Nathaniel Todd was a force. He co-founded Operation PUSH in 1971. He was one of the city's first Black federal prosecutors.

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"I’ve been to the mountaintop … and I’ve seen the Promised Land... I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!”

~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Check Out The Venue Information

Venue

Illinois Wesleyan University

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Gospel Festival Event - January 18, 2025 | Pressor HalL

1312 Park St,
Bloomington, IL
Phone : 309.556.1000
Website : Illinois Wesleyan University

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