DreamWeek San Antonio returns this month with about 220 events and a theme of unlocking potential
The annual citywide summit inspired by the work of Martin Luther King Jr. will run for three weeks in January, with its founder saying it is meant to show residents how much they share.
By Chinedu Okafor ·
A local nonprofit's annual citywide summit inspired by the work of Martin Luther King Jr. is set to return to San Antonio this month. DreamWeek San Antonio 2026 carries the theme "Revelations: Unlocking Our Full Potential."
Shokare Nakpodia founded DreamWeek 13 years ago as a chance for people and groups across the city to work together. He said the summit takes place each January, with local organizations and residents invited to host events that celebrate what makes San Antonio unique. It has typically been held around the MLK celebration.
The name goes back to the early days, when the gathering was far smaller and consisted of a handful of events spread over roughly one week. That is no longer the case. This year's program runs for three weeks, from Jan. 9 to Jan. 31, and includes about 220 events.
Nakpodia said the organizers have tried to arrange the growing schedule so that it matches people's interests. "It's grown so fast now in terms of the events," he said, describing the summit as a way for the whole city to learn more about itself. In his words, DreamWeek is "an environment and a platform for civic and civil engagement."
At the center of the summit, Nakpodia said, is the belief that everyone has dignity and rights and that everyone wants a better world. He added that looking more closely at people we think of as opponents shows a solid reason for getting along.
"We think that we have a lot more in common than we do our differences," Nakpodia said. He noted that residents may hold different political views, but they still have neighbors, co-workers and family members with whom they live and work in close proximity, and for the most part, he said, they coexist peacefully.
The lineup includes symposiums, panel discussions, film screenings, concerts and art exhibits, all curated to offer a wide range of options. Galas and sporting events are also on the schedule, as is a restaurant and cuisine series.
Nakpodia singled out the speaker series as one program he is especially looking forward to. He told Texas Public Radio, though, that the summit has 220 other events as well. "So there's something for everyone," he said.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: Texas Public Radio
