“I Have a Dream” — Still Calling Us Together
Today: MLK Unity Weekend | Art, Community, Unity | 1–6 pm
A meaningful way to spend MLK Day — events happening all afternoon at McAlister Square.
MLK Unity Weekend invites individuals, families, and community members of all ages to gather in the spirit of unity, reflection, and collective care. The event takes place today from 1:00–6:00 pm at McAlister Square on Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville, South Carolina, with events and activities happening throughout the entire afternoon.
At its heart, this day honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—his leadership, courage, and enduring call for dignity, justice, and belonging. Whether you attend on your own, with friends, or with family, this is a space created for everyone. With MLK Day recognized as a national holiday, many may be home and looking for something meaningful to do. This gathering offers a thoughtful way to spend the day learning, reflecting, and connecting with others.
Featured Events
Career & College Expo
An opportunity for graduating students, recent alumni, and job seekers to connect with local employers, colleges, and organizations. This space also allows employers and institutions to build relationships that support current and future workforce needs.
Community Resource Fair
A welcoming, community-centered fair focused on well-being across the Upstate. Organizations will share information and resources related to health and wellness, education, financial stability, and family and community support.
Live Exhibit & Tribute: “The Dream”
A powerful live exhibit featuring rare photographs and images capturing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most memorable moments. This immersive tribute invites reflection across generations and honors Dr. King’s lasting impact on justice, education, unity, and community life.
Walt’s Waltz at MLK Unity Weekend
Walt’s Waltz is honored to participate in MLK Unity Weekend for our third year, offering two of our core programs: Painting Mental Health Workshops and the Community Cookbooks program. These programs are intentionally designed for individuals, families, and community members of all ages.
Our Painting Mental Health Workshops use art as a shared language for reflection and conversation. Participants are welcome to engage at their own pace—through painting, quiet observation, or discussion—as we gently explore mental health, stigma, assumptions, and bias. No art experience is needed.
Participants will have access and receive Self-Care Kits that include watercolor supplies, heavyweight paper, mascot painting pages, positive affirmation bookmarks, and additional mental health resources as appropriate. Our space is designed to feel calm, welcoming, and respectful of where each person is.
Through our Community Cookbooks program, participants are invited to reflect on the role of food, culture, and shared stories in building connection and belonging. Community members will receive a Community Cookbook, decorate the cover, write reflections on what community means to them, and explore how food can be a source of well-being and comfort, and also an apron, markers and other resources. This program highlights the rich diversity of Greenville and creates space to talk openly about connection and loneliness in a natural, accessible way.
Because MLK Unity Weekend includes multiple events happening throughout the day, our programming may look a bit different than our usual workshops. Even so, the heart of our work remains the same. These offerings are thoughtfully adapted to the flow of the day while still creating space for reflection, creativity, and connection. The experience may be more fluid, but it is just as meaningful.
Find Walt’s Waltz in our own dedicated area, located behind the stage.
Events will take place throughout the entire afternoon, offering many ways to engage in ways that feel meaningful to you. Walt’s Waltz is proud to continue this work alongside our community and deeply honored to be part of this celebration of unity. We hope you will join us.
