In 1979, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Society in Tulsa, began serving as an organized board of directors for Tulsa’s MLK Holiday, planning activities and events for Tulsa and surrounding communities. By 1985, the State of Oklahoma under, Governor George Nigh, recognized Dr. King’s birthday as a National Holiday and signed Title 25-Section 82.1, placing the recognition under the auspices of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission in 1986.
The third Monday of January now marks Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a National holiday.
MLK Commemoration Society Board of Directors
President Emeritus (Founder) - Dr. A.D. Phillips
President - Pleas Thompson Vice President - Captain Walter Busby
Secretary - Carmen Pettie
Treasurer/Event Coordinator - Jackie Terry
Parade Coordinator - Patricia Bryant Parlimentarian - Demetrius Bereolos
Scholarships - Dr. Pauline Harris
Public Relations - Dr. Lana Turner-Addison
Youth Events - Rebecca Marks
Youth Events/Music - Carmen Pettie
Awards/Walk - Dr. Jilda Motley