Annual MLK Unity Service Scheduled for Sunday

All are welcome to join us on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Saint Mark Baptist Church as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at our annual Unity Service.

This special program helps us focus on working together in the coming year to bring about positive outcomes for our City, state and nation. On behalf of the City and the Board of Directors, we invite everyone to join us in making a commitment to unity.

The service begins at 5 p.m. at Saint Mark, located at 5722 W. 12th St. The featured speaker is Dr. Kelon Duke, pastor of New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church in Miami, Florida.

It is free to the public, and everyone regardless of faith background is welcome as we unite to honor the memory of Dr. King and amplify the values he stood for, such as service, equity, justice, and human rights.

The event is a yearly tradition that is always uplifting and rewarding, and we appreciate Saint Mark Baptist Church for once again serving as our host. In addition to an inspirational word from Dr. Duke, the program will feature special music, remarks, and prayers from faith leaders from across Arkansas’s capital city.

We hope to see you Sunday for this annual reminder of the importance of the work of Dr. King and the positive, productive impact of a united Little Rock in 2026.

Mark Your Calendar for State of the City 2026

We hope to see you Thursday, January 22, for the 2026 State of the City event at The Hall on historic Ninth Street.

The annual State of the City is an opportunity for residents to learn first-hand about the work of our city departments in the past year and to hear our goals, priorities and vision for the new year. I will outline our 2026 agenda, discuss new initiatives, and highlight how we are working together to strengthen Arkansas’s capital city.

Join us for this free event as we celebrate the best of Little Rock.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with an involvement fair, where residents can engage with representatives of our city departments and learn more about the resources and services available to them from the City of Little Rock. Then, the 2026 State of the City address starts at 6 p.m.

Everyone is invited, and though it is not necessary, we encourage you to register in advance for our State of the City event. To register, click here, and please spread the word to your friends and neighbors.

The Hall is located at 721 W. Ninth St. See you on Thursday, Jan. 22, starting at 5 p.m.!

Green Restaurant Program Prioritizes Sustainability

Little Rock is a culinary highlight for foodies, with a growing restaurant scene earning recognition across the region and nation. We are grateful for all our restaurant owners and our food service workers who consistently offer great meals and hospitality to residents and visitors alike. However, some of our restaurants stand out for the way they go above and beyond to implement sustainable practices and support a greener Little Rock.

As a way to acknowledge these positive steps, the City of Little Rock established its Green Restaurant Program. The program was launched several years ago and is led by our Sustainability Office. Through it, participating restaurants are awarded Green Restaurant certification for their efforts.

The program recognizes local restaurants that are taking practical steps toward sustainability, such as waste reduction, recycling, local sourcing and reduction in single-use items. Restaurants certified under the Green Restaurant program receive promotional materials and a listing on the City’s Green Restaurant webpage.

Certification is free for restaurants who qualify.

The website listing makes it easy for residents to identify establishments that align with sustainability values of waste reduction and environmental protection. Restaurants that may qualify should contact our Sustainability Office to learn more.

Here’s a quick look at what’s going on this week in the City of Little Rock:

Tuesday, January 13: The Little Rock Board of Directors will set the agenda for its next regular meeting at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. All board meetings are open to the public, and all meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Wednesday, January 14: The Commission on Children, Youth and Families will meet at 11:30 a.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St.

Thursday, January 15: The Little Rock Civil Service Commission meets at 8:30 a.m. in the Board Room at City Hall.

Sunday, January 18: As mentioned previously, the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Service is at 5 p.m. at Saint Mark Baptist Church, 5722 W. 12th St.