Hawks Honor Dr. King With Annual MLK Game and Community Day of Service

The Atlanta Hawks are once again using their platform to honor, reflect and serve.

The organization announced today that it will host its annual MLK Game powered by Georgia Power on Monday, Jan. 19, at the award-winning State Farm Arena, a day dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — a true son of Atlanta whose message continues to inspire generations across the world.

“We are beyond excited to be hosting our annual MLK Game powered by Georgia Power this Monday,” said Melissa Proctor, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “We look forward to welcoming our fans downtown for a special afternoon of basketball and community to honor the profound impact and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

As part of the league-wide tribute, Hawks players and staff will wear special MLK warmup shirts featuring a quote from Dr. King during pregame. Atlanta will also take the floor in its Nike NBA Peachtree City Edition uniforms when it faces the Milwaukee Bucks at 1:00 p.m. Limited tickets remain and are available at Hawks.com/tickets.

Before tipoff, the Hawks and Georgia Power will come together for a meaningful pregame volunteer packing event, assembling 300 career sendoff kits for graduating seniors at Clark Atlanta University. The kits—filled with professional essentials and handwritten notes of encouragement—are designed to support students as they transition from campus into the workforce, reinforcing the community’s belief in the next generation of leaders.

“Georgia Power is honored to stand alongside the Atlanta Hawks to pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by turning his vision of service into tangible community action,” said Audrey King, Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and President and CEO of the Georgia Power Foundation. “We support this pregame packing event because career readiness and access to essential mental health resources strengthen communities by laying the foundation for long-term success.”

The in-arena celebration will be equally powerful. Spirit and Truth Church will perform the national anthem and Hawks player introductions, setting the tone for the afternoon. At halftime, America’s Got Talent semifinalists Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir will take the stage, bringing their uplifting sound and mission of inspiration to State Farm Arena. The Hawks ATL Dancers will also join Mahagony N Motion, the official dance auxiliary of the Morehouse College of Funk Marching Band made up of Spelman College students, for a special collaborative performance. Additionally, Martin Luther King III and his wife Andrea will be recognized for their impactful work through the Realize the Dream Foundation.

The MLK Game follows a day of hands-on service. Yesterday, the Hawks and Georgia Power hosted their 2026 Employee Day of Service, continuing their shared commitment to being a civic asset to Atlanta. In honor of Dr. King’s call to equality, service and justice, employees from both organizations volunteered across three locations—Atlanta Public Schools Student and Family Support Hub, Atlanta Mission (My Sisters House), and the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA—helping combat food insecurity by preparing, packing and distributing meals and groceries. Harry the Hawk and the ATL Dancers also made special appearances throughout the day.

“We were honored to join forces with Georgia Power for our Employee Day of Service to provide essential support to our community partners and address food insecurity across Atlanta,” said Alexis Roe, Vice President of Community Impact for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “Dr. King reminded us that ‘everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.’ By serving at three locations deeply aligned with his passion for dignity, equity, and access to basic human needs, our teams were able to put Dr. King’s vision of collective responsibility and love into immediate practice. This day of service was a meaningful way to honor his life, reflect on his legacy, and lead into our upcoming MLK Game.”

From service to celebration, the Hawks’ MLK Game continues to stand as a powerful reminder that honoring Dr. King’s legacy goes far beyond words—it’s about action, unity and uplifting the community he loved so deeply.