NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
City of Monroe Hosts National Architecture Leader as 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Salute Keynote
January 14, 2026
(Monroe, LA) – The City of Monroe will celebrate the 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Salute with nationally renowned architect and former AIA President Kimberly Dowdell as the keynote speaker. The event celebrates Dr. King’s legacy and promotes community engagement and civic pride.
Dowdell brings decades of leadership in architecture, infrastructure and community-focused design. She has served as the 100th President of the AIA, led the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and co-founded the Social, Economic, Environmental Design (SEED) Network. Her work spans public service, academia, real estate development and project management, with a focus on using design to improve quality of life.
The celebration will also feature student performances, civic recognition and additional speakers, highlighting the community’s commitment to honoring Dr. King’s vision.
The event is free and open to the public. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, the ceremony will also be streamed live on the City of Monroe’s Facebook page at facebook.com/monroe.city.
Event details:
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: W. L. “Jack” Howard Theater at the Monroe Civic Center Complex