To dream, act, and inspire. That's the theme of the 40th annual Interfaith Memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Folks said it's one thing to dream big and another to put those dreams into practice.

"Many of us have a passion to see something happen differently. But in order for that to happen, we have to take action. So get up, wake up, step forward and understand that for change to happen, we have to do our part," said Dr. Tiffany Young.

Patricia Gallimore with the Reno-Sparks chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said the best way to live Dr. King's dream is to build a better future in the community.

"I'm not doing this for me," she said. "I do it for my grandkids. I do it for others. I want to leave this place better than what it was when I got here."

KaPreace Young represents Reno as Miss Black Nevada for 2026 and served as the service's main speaker. She said the event and the holiday are about different people coming together in unity.

"For me, it means seeing people from different backgrounds and beliefs coming out to support one common thing: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," Young said.

Many people at the service agreed that unity is what the community needs most right now.

"A world where we're all giving our best, seeing unity in everybody, living with love. What can go wrong with that?" asked Frazer Kirkman.

"[We're] coming together, doing a memorial service for all, acting not single-handedly, but acting as one,"  Gallimore said.

"I think this will show everybody how much more we have in common than the differences we have," said Roya Galata.

"If there's power in numbers, we can come together to show that we can fight the good fight with everyone," Young said.

As a final display of unity, the service ended with a group singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Organizers will also hold a Community Memorial Caravan along a stretch of Interstate 580 named for Dr. King. It will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Greater Light Christian Center in Sun Valley.Â