Organizers worked to commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate the strength of the community. President Dee More says this event brings people together, embodying the essence of MLK's dream, "It's a melting pot of an event, and that's what makes it worthwhile. It means we're not the only ones championing Dr. King's dream; everybody has a stake in it. In Abilene, that's what we strive to be, a community where we come together, take care of each other, stand behind each other, and help each other. We don't want to lose sight of that, and that's all a part of Dr. King's dream.”
Each year, the chamber recognizes local advocates for the black community. Andre James Guinn Sr. was honored as the Ambassador of the Year, and Leon Petty received the Billy King Small Business of the Year award. Macedonia Baptist Church received the award for Community Service of the Year, and Nelson Wilson was posthumously recognized.