Monday, January 16th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is often celebrated as a time to reflect, serve and unify. Whether you take a quiet stroll through Birmingham’s diverse Railroad Park on your own, read Dr. King’s ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail,’ watch the “I Have a Dream” speech, roll-up your sleeves with the folks at Hands on Birmingham, or participate in an organized march downtown…there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Jan. 15 Reflect and Rejoice: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will present their annual tribute to Dr. King along with a tribute to Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Alys Stephens Center; 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $13, $18, and $23. Student tickets are $10 with valid ID.
Jan 16: Hands on Birmingham’s 12th annual MLK Day of Service. Over 35 projects take place around the city from clean-ups, socializing with the elderly, and more. Various locations and times.
Jan 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex features a guest speaker at 7:30 a.m. The BJCC is located at 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., downtown [map].
Jan 16: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. 520 16th Street North. Free public admission all day from 9-5p.m.
Jan 16: Wreath laying ceremony at Dr. King’s statue in Kelly Ingram Park at 10 a.m. Free.
Jan 16: March from City Hall to Kelly Ingram Park and Sixteenth Street Baptist Church at noon.
Jan 16: Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Civil Rights Rally at 1pm at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church; 1530 6th Avenue North.
Jan 16: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Love Feast for the homeless and senior citizens; Boutwell Auditorium; 1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Ave. N., downtown [map]. 2:30 p.m.
Jan 18: Birmingham Public Library’s ninth annual Martin Luther King, Jr. lecture will feature three children’s book authors who will share their experiences researching and writing African American history for children. Richard Arrington Auditorium at the central branch of the Birmingham Public Library; 2100 Park Place, downtown [map]. For more information, visit the Birmingham Public Library’s blog.
- More Shermika Dunner at ArtBLT
- MCers: How do you plan to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy? Tell us in the comments.
