This year’s celebration will feature a performance by Common and the presentation of the John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
(WASHINGTON – December 17, 2025) — In celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Georgetown University will host its annual free, ticketed musical tribute, Let Freedom Ring! Celebration. The program, hosted for the first time at the historic Howard Theatre, will feature musical performances by Common. The event will take place on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
During the event, Georgetown will present the John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award to Kowshara Thomas of Joseph’s House. Established in honor of former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson Jr.—renowned for his unwavering commitment to breaking barriers and championing social and racial justice both on and off the court—this award is presented to a local leader who embodies the spirit and courage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Joseph’s House, founded in 1990, provides medical respite care, end-of-life, and supportive services to those experiencing homelessness who are living with HIV/AIDS and/or advanced illnesses in Washington, DC. Dedicated to providing compassionate care with dignity and respect, Joseph’s House serves as a vital bridge to healthcare and social resources to each of its 20 residents and 20-25 former residents every year, ensuring residents feel supported and empowered during life’s most vulnerable moments. For more information about the Legacy of a Dream Award, please visit: https://www.georgetown.edu/mlk-initiative/.
Tickets will be available first-come-first-serve beginning at 12:00 p.m. on January 7, 2026, on the Howard Theater website and will be limited to two tickets per person. This performance will be captioned. If you or a member of your party requires accessible seating or seats in the captioned section, please notify staff when you arrive.
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ABOUT COMMON
Academy Award, Emmy and Grammy-winning artist, actor, author, and activist, Common continues to break down barriers with a multitude of critically acclaimed, diverse roles, and continued success in all aspects of his career.
Last summer, Common released his new album with Pete Rock titled “The Auditorium, Vol. 1,” via Loma Vista Recordings. This is Common and Pete Rock’s first full-length collaboration. The album is the past, present, and future happening all at once and in any decade. On May 22, 2024, Common and Pete Rock released the first single from the album “Wise Up” which sonically touches on their Golden Age of Hip Hop with a contemporary feel, universal to any era of hip-hop. His previous album, “A Beautiful Revolution Part 2,” was released on September 10, 2021, through Loma Vista Recordings. Pt. 1 of the album was written in 2020 during the height of the pandemic when racial and social justice protests, a contested election and economic collapse was polarizing the country. The first half of the album was written as a call to action to uplift, heal and inspire listeners dealing with these injustices. “A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2” is a continuation of this call to action, but one that sees the world in a new light. The album signifies a rebirth of sorts as listeners learn to cope with and elevate from this tragedy and turmoil. They are given a chance to create a better tomorrow and a responsibility to never forget the past obstacles they have faced.
Common is known not only for his Grammy-winning albums, but also for his performances in various film and television projects. He stars in the hit Apple TV+ series “Silo,” appears in Stefon Bristol’s action-thriller “Breathe,” and played a role in “Alice,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022. Additionally, he made his Broadway debut as Junior in Stephen Adly Guirgis’ play “Between Riverside and Crazy.”
Outside of releasing albums and starring in hit shows, Common has dedicated countless hours and has been deeply engaged in social justice and advocacy work around mass incarceration, mental health and voting. His foundation, FREE TO DREAM, encompasses his 20 years of leadership as a change-maker, using his entertainment platform to advance the world’s most critical social causes, with a focus on education, justice, wellness, and jobs.
ABOUT THE AWARDEE
Ms. Kowshara Thomas assumed the role of Executive Director of Joseph’s House in August 2019, after serving as the organization’s Senior Nurse Case Manager for a year. In her leadership role, she is responsible for ensuring the quality and continuity of resident care—physical, emotional, and spiritual—while fostering the compassionate community that defines Joseph’s House.
Ms. Thomas oversees all aspects of resident services and operations, including end-of-life accompaniment for individuals, development of partnerships with hospitals, service providers, and community stakeholders, recruitment and training of staff and volunteers, and fostering a supportive, mission-driven workplace culture. Under her direction, Joseph’s House continues to strengthen its model of holistic care for individuals experiencing homelessness and living with HIV/AIDS or terminal cancer.
With over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience spanning long-term care, hospice, primary care, pediatrics, and surgery, Ms. Thomas brings a deep understanding of both the science and the humanity of care. Before joining Joseph’s House, she held several positions at Capital Caring, where she provided skilled nursing care to patients with terminal illnesses and supported families through education, counseling, and compassionate presence—helping them navigate the final stages of life with dignity and peace.
Ms. Thomas’s tenure as Executive Director has been marked by strategic growth, community partnership development, and a deepened commitment to holistic end-of-life care. She embodies the mission of Joseph’s House: to offer love, comfort, and belonging to those who need it most.
ABOUT LET FREEDOM RING CELEBRATION
As part of Georgetown University’s MLK Initiative: Let Freedom Ring!, this event builds on the success of the first joint program in January 2003, which featured the legendary Roberta Flack and attracted more than 5,000 patrons. The second, held in August of 2003, commemorated the 40th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and featured actor and civil rights leader Ossie Davis. Past concerts featured Jessye Norman in 2004; Aaron Neville in 2005; Yolanda Adams in 2006 and in 2016; Brian McKnight in 2007; Denyce Graves in 2008; Aretha Franklin in 2009; India. Arie in 2010; Patti LaBelle in 2011; Bobby McFerrin in 2012; Smokey Robinson in 2013; Dionne Warwick in 2014; Natalie Cole in 2015; Gladys Knight in 2017; Vanessa Williams in 2018; Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell in 2019; Chaka Khan in 2020; Leslie Odom Jr. in 2023; and Jordin Sparks in 2024.
ABOUT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Established in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll, Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. Located in Washington DC, Doha, Qatar, and around the world, Georgetown University is a leading academic and research institution, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit Georgetown.edu or connect with Georgetown on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Threads.
Georgetown’s annual MLK Initiative honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a series of academic, artistic, and extracurricular programs that examine Dr. King’s life and work and address the contemporary challenges our nation faces in order to fulfill his dream of justice and equality for all people.
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GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CONTACT: Georgetown Office of Communications, media@georgetown.edu