Preparing to observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Martin Luther King press conference / [MST]." Original black and white negative by Marion S. Trikosko. Taken August 26th, 1964, Washington D.C, United States (@libraryofcongress). Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Your friends at BEN would like to share a brief message of reflection and unity as we prepare to observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King wrote from the Birmingham jail, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." These words emphasize the interconnectedness of our world and the importance of standing up for social justice.
We invite you to honor Dr. King's legacy by engaging in local and national events, including those in RVA, New York and Los Angeles (along with remote options).
TMA remains committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our teams and agency.
Together, we can uphold his message of love and unity.
With gratitude and commitment,
BEN
Errick Page & Shannon Brown, 2024 BEN Co-Leads
MLK Events in RVA:
Sunday, Jan. 14: Attend an all-ages concert featuring the Richmond Symphony at the Dominion Energy Center's Carpenter Theatre. This performance, conducted by the award-winning Henry Panion III, celebrates Dr. King's enduring legacy through music. Tickets are available from $15 to $86. [Link]
Monday, Jan. 15: Join Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (2410 Ownby Ln, Richmond, Va. 23220) from 2:30 to 5 p.m. for the "Rise Against Hunger: MLK Day of Service Volunteer Meal Packaging" event. In honor of Dr. King's legacy, community volunteers will gather to pack an incredible 30,000 meals to help tackle food insecurity. These packaged meals will then be sent to people facing hunger all over the world. [Link]
Thursday, Jan. 18: Virginia Commonwealth University hosts a week of events commemorating Dr. King's legacy, culminating in a celebration at the Institute for Contemporary Art starting at 5 p.m. This year's theme is based on King's quote, "Our goal is to create a beloved community, and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives." [Link]
MLK Events in NYC:
Sunday, Jan. 14: The Apollo Theater presents "Uptown Hall: The Inconvenient King," a celebration of Dr. King's legacy. The event will feature live musical performances, spoken word, and creative expressions inspired by the civil rights icon. It's free to attend, but registration is encouraged. A remote livestream option is also available. [Link]
Sunday, Jan. 14: Singers will come together to honor Dr. King through song at Brick Presbyterian Church. The concert, featuring the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, the Yale Glee Club, and special guest baritone Lester Lynch, is free and open to the public. [Link]
Monday, Jan. 15: Enjoy the Harlem Gospel Choir's MLK Day Matinee at Sony Hall. This world-famous choir will take you on a soulful journey celebrating Dr. King. It's an all-ages show, perfect for the whole family. [Link]
MLK Events in Los Angeles:
Monday, Jan. 15: Join the Kingdom Day Parade, regarded as "the world's largest and longest-running life celebration" of Dr. King. The parade will be televised live on ABC 7 and features music, dancing, food, and more at Leimert Park. [Link]
Monday, Jan. 15: Attend "Dream" at Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen in Inglewood. This event includes spoken word, acoustic soul, and conscious cinema, highlighting Dr. King's legacy. Tickets are $10 and available on Eventbrite. [Link]
Monday, Jan. 15: "Documenting a Movement" at the Academy Museum – Explore two films that showcase the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, followed by a discussion on the importance of documenting political movements. Tickets are available. [Link]
Note: Don’t let this act as a comprehensive list and any/all may be subject to change (please refer to event-specific links) — but we encourage you to participate in a community event, wherever you’re located!
