Civil Rights photographer Cecil J. Williams to be keynote speaker for 2026 MLK Community Celebration

Cecil J. Williams, a renowned photographer known for his visual documentation of the Civil Rights Movement, will serve as the keynote speaker for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration to be held Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at the USCA Convocation Center.

Presented by Aiken Technical College (Aiken Tech) and the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA), the free community event celebrates Dr. King’s life and legacy while emphasizing the importance of service and unity. The event will open at 2:30 p.m. with a service fair featuring area nonprofits and service agencies, followed by the program at 3 p.m.

Williams has dedicated his career to preserving the stories of the Civil Rights Movement and those who have fought for justice and equality. His photography has been featured in major national publications and is included in the Smithsonian’s collection.

He also founded the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum in Orangeburg to educate and inspire future generations through the lessons of the movement.

The annual community celebration will also recognize those who lead through service in the Aiken County community and on the campuses of Aiken Tech and USCA. Nominations for these honors are being accepted through Dec. 1 at https://www.usca.edu/events/mlk/human-civil-rights-champion-awards-nominations/.