The Indiana Civil Rights Commission and partner organizations held the 34th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Indiana Holiday celebration at the Indiana Statehouse, featuring an invocation, remarks from the lieutenant governor and other officials, choir performances and awards honoring community leaders and refugee advocates.

Organizers said the event was intended to honor Dr. King’s legacy and to emphasize unity and service. The program included a colorized presentation of King’s "I Have a Dream" speech, a performance by the Northerners choir of North Central High School, and presentation of awards to several community leaders and youth.

Abdul Hakim Shabaz, the event emcee, opened the program and introduced Monica Jo Rapheal, who gave the invocation in Anishinaabemowin and English. Rapheal asked for blessings for those who struggle and for unity, concluding, "Creator God, hear our prayer. In your holy name, amen. Amen." The Northerners choir then sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Alice Watson, identified in the program as president and CEO of Indiana Black Expo, and Greg L. Wilson Sr., executive director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, offered welcoming remarks. Wilson introduced a colorized version of King’s 1963 "I Have a Dream" address and framed the agency’s ongoing work to enforce civil rights law and educate the public about discrimination.

The program included remarks from the 53rd lieutenant governor, Micah Beck Worth, who said Dr. King’s devotion to faith and nonviolence helped shape his leadership. "Being here today to celebrate and commemorate the life of a true American hero is an honor," Beck Worth said, and offered a prayer for forgiveness and justice.

Awards presented during the program and the recipients named onstage were:
- Sam Jones Award: Charles "Charlie" Garcia, identified as an entrepreneur and community leader.
- Reverend Charles Williams Award: Lisa Given, introduced as senior diversity officer at Indiana Tech.
- Humanitarian Award: Eliza Fahini, described as co‑founder and CEO of the Burmese American Community Institute who has worked on refugee assistance.
- Coleman Staples Award: Nizhay Sherazad Hashman, identified as founder and president of the Afghanistan American Community Center and director of refugee resettlement outreach.
- Two youth awards (the Dr. King youth recognition): Cordaya (Kadea) Crosby and Patrick Collier, cited for youth mentoring and community engagement.

Speakers and awardees described programs that support refugees and newcomers. Onstage remarks said the Burmese American Community Institute has assisted more than 30,000 people in central Indiana and that its recent resettlement activities mobilized more than 3,000 local sponsors; remarks about the Afghanistan American Community Center said its staff and volunteers had mobilized more than 300 sponsors and helped resettle more than 360 refugees.

Greg Wilson also noted a companion public light show that began the night before at the Indiana War Memorial and Monument Circle; the projection on the AES building at Monument Circle will run each evening through Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the program stated. Attendees were invited to refreshments and to continue community conversations after the formal program.

The program was ceremonial and celebratory in nature; no formal policy actions, motions or votes were recorded in the program transcript. The event included performances, acceptance remarks and brief reflections on Dr. King’s message of unity and service.

A video of the colorized "I Have a Dream" speech and related program materials were announced as part of the celebration; organizers encouraged attendees to follow the Indiana Civil Rights Commission on social media for future events.