Hoffman Estates to host 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast Jan. 15

A Hoffman Estates tradition will reach a milestone in January as the village’s Cultural Awareness Commission holds its 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast at village hall.

Celebrating the life and legacy of the influential civil rights leader, the free event seeks to remind attendees that positive change is attainable through people joining together in a common cause.

“We thought it was very important to honor the legacy of Dr. King,” Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod said of the event’s origin. “He was only 39 years old when he died, but is still the conscience of America.”

The breakfast has been a draw with people from neighboring communities attending as well, rather than inspiring competing events. It’s become one of the top annual activities of the village’s Cultural Awareness Commission, McLeod said.

“I think it just evolved,” he added.

When the pandemic interrupted the tradition in 2021, a compilation video from earlier years was posted.

Chris “Cheb” Blackshear — an actor, speaker, software test engineer and musician who portrayed King in the local production “Last Night as King” — will deliver this year’s keynote address. The One Choir ensemble will perform.

Seating for the event is limited, and reservations are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through 5 p.m. Jan. 10, or until capacity is reached. There is a limit of four people per reservation.

To reserve a spot, call Hallie Karle at (847) 781-2606 or register online at hoffmanestates.org.

In the spirit of helping others, attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or new hats and gloves for the community’s food pantries this winter.