Local Non-Profit Announces First-Ever Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Oratorical Contest in Phoenix!

Pastor W. Eric Croomes
4 days ago
2 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!

Local non-profit announces first-ever Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. oratorical contest for Phoenix!

Phoenix, Arizona - Fourth and fifth-grade students from the Phoenix area will gather on Saturday, January 16, 2027, to reimagine Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call for hope at the first annual MLK Speak Up! Oratory Tournament. The event will be held in Phoenix at a to-be determined location. Multiple students will share original speeches responding to the question:

As a student of Dr. King’s life, what message of hope would he have for the world today?

The MLK Speak Up! Oratory Tournament will be conducted as a round-robin, single-elimination contest and is the first-ever oratorical competition honoring Dr. King in Phoenix! One student from each grade level will be crowned the winner and will receive an award. Second and third place winners will also receive awards. Participants will begin delivering speeches during qualifying rounds this fall. From there, winners will advance to the semifinals and on to the championship round on January 16, 2027.

Qualifying speeches must meet the minimal threshold of 3 minutes and not exceed 5 minutes. Speeches must be delivered orally and memorized. Speeches must be original and should demonstrate an understanding of Dr. King’s principles and include at least one MLK quote. The speeches will be evaluated on originality, delivery, stage presence, content, and memorization. Local business and community leaders as well as teachers will serve as judges for the event.

“Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of youth. His message of hope and unity is endemic to our community. This event provides a purposeful platform for students to bring that message to life in a positive and competitive environment and to also find their own voice in that process,” said Pastor W. Eric Croomes, chairperson of the event and executive director of the Charley and Dorothy Croomes Foundation, the organizing sponsor of the tournament.

The MLK Speak Up! Oratory Tournament is open to all fourth and fifth-grade students from all ethnicities! The Charley and Dorothy Croomes Foundation (CDCF EIN#92-0444359)) is based in Phoenix and focuses on literacy, education and scholarship.

Follow MLK Speak Up and Charley and Dorthy Croomes Foundation on Facebook.