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Registration Opens for 2026 National Opal’s Walk for Freedom on MLK Day
Registration Opens for 2026 National Opal’s Walk for Freedom on MLK Day
FORT WORTH, Texas — Jan. 19, 2026 — Unity Unlimited, Inc. opened registration Monday for the 2026 National Opal’s Walk for Freedom, a Juneteenth observance featuring simultaneous in-person walks across the United States and a virtual walk open to participants worldwide.
The event, scheduled for June 19, 2026, is led by Dr. Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” whose walking campaign helped secure Juneteenth’s designation as a federal holiday in 2021. Participants will walk 2.5 miles, symbolizing the 2.5 years between the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and its enforcement in Texas.
The 2026 Walk advances Unity Unlimited’s 50 States Initiative, a long-term effort to establish at least one branded Opal’s Walk for Freedom in every state by 2030.
“When I began walking, it was to remind people that freedom was delayed—but never denied,” Lee said. “Walking together reminds us that justice requires action.”
Confirmed host cities for 2026 include Fort Worth, TX, and Washington, DC, which will serve as flagship locations, along with Cincinnati, OH; Los Angeles, CA; Birmingham, AL; Honolulu, HI; Evanston, IL; Detroit, MI; Grants Pass, OR; and St. Paul, MN.No additional host cities will be added this year, though nominations for future years are being accepted through the registration platform.
The walk is supported by national and local partners, including Start 2 Finish Event Management, Detroit Choice Events, JARK 1 Entertainment, The Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and others.
A virtual walk option allows participants to take part from anywhere in the world.
“Opal’s Walk for Freedom is a national act of remembrance and responsibility,” said Dione Sims, founder and CEO of Unity Unlimited. “Walking together reinforces our shared commitment to justice and unity.”
Registration is open at www.opalswalk.com.
About Unity Unlimited, Inc.
Unity Unlimited, Inc. is a non-profit organization that helps communities overcome racial, cultural, and economic division. The programs they produce support their mission of human dignity through education, resources, and opportunities, including initiatives such as Juneteenth Strong, a month-long event series celebrating freedom with their brand ambassador, the Grandmother of Juneteenth, Dr. Opal Lee.
