MLK Jr. Oratory Competition 2026 – Watch the Chicago, Dallas & Houston Livestreams
Foley & Lardner LLP is proud to host the Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition in Dallas, Houston, and Chicago. In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, the oratory contest is designed to highlight the cultural diversity and talent of local communities while recognizing and encouraging the writing and public speaking skills of elementary school students. To celebrate the teachings of Dr. King, Foley has dedicated ongoing resources and community partnerships to support student voices in the MLK Jr. Oratory Competition.
Elk jaar worden leerlingen uit groep 6 en 7 van basisscholen in Dallas, Houston en Chicago uitgenodigd om originele toespraken van drie tot vijf minuten te schrijven en te houden over een vooraf gekozen onderwerp, waarin ze idealen uit de leer van Dr. King verwerken. De toespraken van de leerlingen zijn een eerbetoon aan de blijvende invloed van Dr. King en laten zien hoe zijn woorden hen inspireren en hun leven vormgeven.
Each regional oratory competition begins with virtual or in-school qualifying rounds, followed by semifinals and finals. At each stage, students are evaluated on delivery, stage presence, decorum, content interpretation, and memorization. The final rounds are judged by panels of prominent community and local business leaders.
The topic for the 2026 MLK oratorical competition is, “As a student of Dr. King’s life, what message of hope do you think he would have for the world today?”
We invite you to join us online for the Chicago, Dallas, and Houston livestreams to watch these inspiring speeches and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The final round of Foley’s MLK Jr. Oratory Competition in each city will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the following times and locations:
Chicago
Wanneer: 10:00 uur – 12:30 uur CT
Waar: The Drake Hotel
140 E. Walton Place
Chicago, IL 60611
Livestream Link: Coming Soon
Dallas
Wanneer: 11:00 uur – 12:30 uur CT
Waar: AT&T Performing Arts Center
Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre
2403 Flora Street
Dallas, TX 75201
Livestream Link: Coming Soon
Houston
Wanneer: 10:00 uur – 12:30 uur CT
Waar: Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Christ
500 Clay Street
Houston, TX 77002
Livestream Link: Coming Soon