MLK Prayer Breakfast

This event – one of the biggest and most storied MLK Day events in the entire region – celebrates its 27th anniversary in 2026. The celebration will be held at the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood once again this year.

ACBA members and attorneys from throughout the bar are invited to join local leaders, elected officials and members of the community at large to celebrate the life of and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Prayer Breakfast commemorates the life of Dr. King and his contributions to changes in law and social justice. The event will feature a buffet-styled breakfast, followed immediately by prayer service and recognition program. No pre-registration is required, and the event is open to all ACBA members and the public at large.

The highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Drum Major for Justice Award to the Hon. Nicola Henry-Taylor.

About the Hon. Nicola Henry-Taylor

Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor is a respected member of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas whose career reflects a deep and enduring commitment to advancing justice, equity, and meaningful access to the legal system. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she has served as a prosecutor, private practitioner, educator and judge, bringing a broad range of experience to her judicial role. Prior to joining the bench, she held leadership positions that helped shape the region’s equity landscape, including serving as the Diversity Director at Duquesne University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law and as a Commissioner on both the Allegheny County Human Relations Commission and the Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness and Justice. Her work has consistently centered the ideals of fairness, dignity and inclusion for all communities. Judge Henry-Taylor has been an influential ACBA leader, co-founding the ACBA Diversity Collaborative — now the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion — and launching the Pathways to Leadership Program to support the advancement of underrepresented attorneys. She has chaired major ACBA groups, including the Judiciary Committee and the Women in the Law Division, and has been an active voice on issues such as police reform, bail practices and systemic inequities within the justice system. On the bench, she was appointed by Chief Justice Debra Todd to the Pennsylvania Continuing Judicial Education Board and continues to contribute to state and national judicial associations focused on strengthening judicial practice and public trust. Her work has earned several honors, including the Onyx Woman of the Year Award, the ACBA Carol Los Mansmann Helping Hand Award, and the 19th Amendment Award — recognitions that reflect her significant impact on the profession and the community. As President of the Duquesne Kline Law Alumni Association Board, she demonstrated visionary leadership and helped advance the law school’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Judge Henry-Taylor remains a steadfast advocate, mentor, and community partner, dedicated to ensuring that the legal system serves all people with fairness and integrity.

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