Thursday, January 14, 2027 • 6:30 PM
Austin Community College – Highland Campus
6101 Highland Campus Drive, Building 2000, Room 2.1550
The Austin Area Heritage Council proudly presents the 22nd Annual MLK Oratory Competition, showcasing the voices of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students as they honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This year’s theme
Continuing the Dream: Our Voices, Our Choices, Our Future
“If Dr. King were alive today, what dream would you share with him for America and the world? What challenges would you tell him we face today, and what would you say is needed to fulfill his dream of equality, justice, peace, and unity? Most importantly, what will you personally do to help make that dream a reality? Remember, your generation is the hope for the future. Your voice, your choices, and your actions can help build a better America and a better world.”
Competition Details
- Celebrating 22 years of youth voices and excellence
- Open to individual 4th–6th grade students.
- Previous winners are not eligible.
Speech guidelines:
- Original speeches only (written by the student).
- Maximum length: 5 minutes.
- No props or audience participation.
- Songs allowed (30 seconds max).
- Must be delivered from memory (no notes or cards).
Judging Criteria:
- Delivery
- Stage Decorum
- Content Interpretation
- Expression
- Memorization
Awards
- 1st Place: $500 + Trophy
- 2nd Place: $250 + Trophy
- 3rd Place: $150 + Trophy
The evening will feature a keynote speaker, followed by the competition and awards ceremony.
Community Partners
This event is made possible with the collaboration of:
- Google Fiber
- Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
- UFCU
- KAZI-FM
- Austin Community College District
- ACCelerated Learning Support
- ACCTV
- African American Cultural Center
- ASCENDER
- Black Representation of Achievement through Student Support (BRASS)
- Career & Life Design
- Community and Government Affairs
- District Police
- Facilities, Maintenance & Operations, Highland Campus
- Honors Program
- Make It Center (MIC)
- Office of College Relations & Marketing
- Office of Experiential Learning
- Orientation & First-Year Experience
- Recruitment Office
- Student Life
- TRIO Pre-College Programs
- Truth, Community Healing & Transformation Center
- Welcome Center
Join us as we celebrate the 22nd year of this inspiring tradition, honoring the voices of young leaders and the enduring dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!
History of the MLK Oratory Competition
Founded in 2005, the MLK Oratory Competition has given elementary students across Central Texas a platform to share their voices in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For 22 years, this tradition has inspired young leaders to reflect on contemporary issues, speak with courage, and carry forward Dr. King’s dream of justice and equality.