The 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference, set to take place in Austin, Texas, Jan. 9–12, will bring together leaders, stakeholders and advocates to strengthen community bonds and advance the legacy of Dr. King. The event will serve as a pivotal moment for building solidarity, fostering collective action, and reinforcing the deep connection between the labor and civil rights movements. Attendees will focus on translating shared values into actionable strategies to empower workers and expand social justice.
Key figures from the labor, civil rights and social justice movements will convene to explore the critical role working people play in defending rights and freedoms. The conference will provide a forum to identify pathways forward for building on historic organizing successes, challenging corporate greed, and rewriting the rules to expand the movement’s reach and impact.
Highlighting the event will be keynote speaker Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a trailblazing public defender, civil rights advocate and champion for working families. Crockett’s journey began when she was elected the sole Black freshman and youngest Black lawmaker in the Texas House of Representatives during the 87th legislative session in 2020. Despite navigating one of the most conservative sessions in state history, Crockett filed more bills than any other new member and successfully rallied diverse coalitions to pass landmark criminal justice reforms.
Since her election to represent Texas’ 30th Congressional District in 2022, Crockett has continued to make waves as the Democratic freshman class representative within the House Democratic leadership. Her work has centered on advancing justice, equality and the rights of working people.
Conference organizers emphasize that this gathering is not only an opportunity for dialogue but also a call to action. By uniting the power of members, coalitions and communities, participants aim to build on the momentum of past victories to create a more equitable future. The event underscores the enduring relevance of Dr. King’s vision and the importance of collective action in facing contemporary challenges.
The 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference is poised to inspire attendees and galvanize movements to drive meaningful change, ensuring that Dr. King’s dream continues to live on.
Take a look at the tentative agenda and reserve a spot before the Jan. 3, 2025, registration deadline.
