Several commemorative gatherings and community service opportunities are planned throughout the Detroit metropolitan area for Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Many events celebrating King will be back in person after a few years of virtual events amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Unity walks, notable speakers, service efforts, giveaways and entertainment are planned to honor the legacy of the civil rights icon throughout the region.
Here’s a look at some MLK events scheduled for Monday.
To add your event to the list, email Brendel Hightower at bhightower@freepress.com.
let freedom ring
Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. will host this free public event at Detroit’s Fox Theater to honor singer Kem, Rabbi Daniel Syme, Bishop Charles Ellis, Reverend JoAnn Watson, activist Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris and University of Michigan football. player Blake Corum. Entertainment will be provided by Grammy Award-winning artist Howard Hewett, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Youth Ensembles and the Dr. Martin Luther King High School Dance Workshop. Pastor Solomon Kinloch will give the opening message. Free tickets for the 4 pm event are available at 313Presents.com.
38th Annual Southfield MLK Peace Walk Celebration
The theme of this year’s peace walk in Southfield is “The Global Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” The walk will depart at 9 am Monday from Hope United Methodist Church at 26275 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, ending at Southfield Pavilion at 26000 Evergreen Road, where there will be a program at 11 am and a Taste Fest immediately following the program. Participants are asked to wear masks. Learn more at mlktaskforcemi.org.
MLK Day at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History plans a series of offerings Monday, beginning with an MLK Prayer Breakfast (ticket required) at 8 am with keynote speaker Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd; Free educational workshops and family programming follow from 11 am to 3 pm; a free screening of the film ‘Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America’ is scheduled from 1-3 pm; and a lecture by Charles M. Blow, journalist, commentator, opinion columnist for The New York Times and political analyst for MSNBC, from 4 to 5:30 pm The museum is located at 315 E. Warren, Detroit. Learn more at thewright.org/2023-mlk-day-wright.
31st Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration
Award-winning actor and best-selling author Hill Harper will be the keynote speaker at this event scheduled for Monday from 11:30 am to 1 pm at Oakland University, Oakland Center at Founders Ballroom, 312 Meadow Brook in Rochester. Open to the public. Doors open at 10:30 am Learn more at oakland.edu/cmi/KOD.
Feeding Detroit: MLK Day of Service – Wayne State University
This 12th annual event presented by the Wayne State University AmeriCorps Urban Safety program and Marathon Petroleum has health and wellness activities planned for Monday from 10 am to 3 pm. Activities will include food distribution, 1-3 pm, youth dental services, hat and glove giveaways, wheel lock/club giveaways, dental exams, a healthy cooking session, garden assembly and more at Kemeny Recreation, 2260 S. Fort in Detroit. Free. More at mlkserviceday2023.splashthat.com.
United We Walk – West Bloomfield
One day before the holiday, the United We Walk Committee offers a variety of service projects to keep the life, dreams and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. alive with a Sunday program at 1 pm; 13:30 walk; Service projects at 2 pm at West Bloomfield High School at 6000 Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield. Donations will be accepted for local charities. More at wbsd.org/community/united-we-walk.
MLK Day Community Celebration – Canton
Canton Township and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with “It Starts with Me” event at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill in Canton at 6: Monday 30 p.m. Free. More at cantonvillagetheater.org.
MLK Scholarship Breakfast
This 20th annual Macomb County Ministerial Alliance breakfast event will feature gospel singer Vicky Winans and keynote speaker, NAACP Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, on Monday from 9-12 pm at the Center MRCC Banquet Center, 23401 Mound in Warren. $50 More information on the Macomb County Ministerial Alliance Facebook page.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Henry Ford
See Rosa Parks’ bus and hear the story of her courageous act that led to the Montgomery bus boycott. Visit the exhibition With Liberty and Justice for All and More, from 9:30 am to 5 pm on Monday. Free admission and parking for MLK Day. More at thehenryford.org.
MLK Day Celebration in Farmington
A full day of activities will take place Monday in partnership with the Community Equity Organization, Farmington Public Schools, Multicultural Multiracial Community Council (MCMR), and Friends of the Farmington Library. Activities include a march down 12 Mile Road at 11 am; Farmington IDEA panel discussion at noon (streamed live on the library’s YouTube channel); an interactive presentation at 2 pm with Anthony Lucas of the Detroit Association of Black Storytellers; dance performances and more. More at farmlib.org/mlk.
A day on, not a day off
The cities and school districts of Royal Oak and Berkley will have a joint MLK Day event to honor and remember Dr. King on Monday. The march begins at 9:30 am from Berkley High School, 2325 Catalpa Dr.; service projects begin at 10:15 am and include making blankets, sorting donations and making cards for first responders. Learn more at romi.gov/998/MLK-Service-Day.
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the FIA
The Flint Institute of Arts will offer free admission for visitors to enjoy the museum’s permanent collection, including a newly installed gallery dedicated to artwork by African American and African Diaspora artists on Monday. More at flintarts.org.
Assembly of Justice and Award Ceremony
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Michigan United will host an awards ceremony for community leaders and organizations that have made a difference for Michiganders on Monday at 11 am. This event is held in partnership with Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Baptist Pastors Council, Triumphant Life Christian Church, Fems for Democracy, and Distill Social at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 13651 Dequindre in Detroit. More information at the Michigan People’s Campaign.
Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.
