Reclaim the Dream With Kirk Franklin on Saturday, April 4, in Miami

21 Years Later, The Dream Calls for Action: The Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation Presents the Reclaim The Dream Memorial & Gospel Concert Featuring Kirk Franklin on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

From Tribute to Transformation: Reclaim The Dream Returns with Music, Movement, and Community Investment

MIAMI, FL – March 4, 2026 — The Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation (MLKEDC) will host its 21st Annual Reclaim The Dream Candlelight Memorial and Gospel Concert on Saturday, April 4, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Knight Concert Hall, in Miami, Florida. The event will feature a performance by Kirk Franklin and a candlelight prayer with full audience participation.

For over twenty years, Reclaim The Dream has honored Dr. King’s life and lasting legacy while serving as a powerful call for collective action. The annual event gathers community leaders, residents, faith groups, and advocates committed to advancing civil rights, economic opportunity, and social justice.

This year’s featured gospel artist is Kirk Franklin, the Grammy Award–winning performer whose music has inspired audiences worldwide. A pioneer of contemporary gospel, Franklin has earned 20 Grammy Awards along with numerous Stellar, Dove, NAACP Image, BET, and Soul Train Music Awards. He has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and theBlack Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and made history as the first artist to top all five of Billboard’s major gospel charts at the same time.

At a time when communities across the nation continue to face rising economic disparities and social challenges, ReclaimThe Dream provides space for reflection — and renewed determination. The program encourages attendees to revisit Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community and to take responsibility for building it in real time.

Reclaim The Dream is where remembrance meets responsibility,” said City of Miami Chairwoman & District Five Commissioner Christine King. “MLKEDC is demonstrating that honoring Dr. King means investing in systems that remove barriers and expand ownership, mobility, and long-term stability for families.”

Through Reclaim the Dream, we are not just reflecting on history. We are asking ourselves what courage, leadership, and accountability mean today. This gathering reinforces our shared commitment to increasing access and opportunities for every resident in our community, said Keon Hardemon, Miami-Dade County Commissioner.

“For us, this is both sacred and strategic,” said Amina McNeil, President & CEO of MLKEDC. “We honor Dr. King’s life with candles, music, and reflection — but we advance his legacy through programs that change lives. Real tribute is measured by impact. That is the standard we hold ourselves to every day.”

MLKEDC’s year-round initiatives showcase its dedication to sustainable economic growth. 

Wheels to Work Program – This initiative tackles transportation barriers in District 5 by offering low-cost, no-interest vehicles to eligible residents, removing predatory financing, and increasing access to employment.

Kitchen Incubator Program – A fully licensed, modern shared commercial kitchen designed to support culinary entrepreneurs. Participants reduce startup costs and receive technical and business guidance to develop sustainable ventures.

MLKEDC Business Center – Located at the southwest corner of NW 7th Avenue and 62nd Street, the Business Center acts as a hub for economic and community development. The facility features a charter school, one renal clinic, and a barbershop, and offers below-market-rate leasing opportunities to small businesses.

Together, these initiatives embody Dr. King’s belief that civil rights, economic opportunity, and community ownership are interconnected pillars of real progress. 

For more information about MLKEDC, visit https://www.mlkmiami.com/