The greater Los Angeles community remembers the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by presenting a variety of events throughout the Southland. Many organizations are commemorating the federal holiday as a “Day of Service” and offer opportunities for individuals to volunteer their time to neighborhood clean-up and improving activities.
Below is a list of some of the events that are open to the public.
Salute to MLK Confidante Rev. James Lawson
Councilwoman Heather Hutt and LA County Fed President Yvonne Wheeler will lead a march on Adams Blvd., from 6th Ave. to Holman UMC on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 3 p.m. The walk, featuring music by Holman choirs, pays tribute to the 1968 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
At 4 p.m., Hutt and Wheeler will dedicate the Rev. James M. Lawson Mile, which extends along Adams Blvd. from Crenshaw Blvd. to Arlington Ave. Also, a screening of “Rustin” will be held. Reservations are required for the free event by visiting https://revlawsonmile.eventbrite.com.
Community Day Wellness Fair
Bishop Edward Turner and the members of Power of Love Fellowship hosts the 38th annual event in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The free event takes place on Saturday, Jan. 13, at, at 1430 W. Manchester Ave., in South L.A. The program opens with a prayer breakfast at 8 a.m.
The community fair starts at 10 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. The agenda includes a wellness fair, food and clothing giveaway, job information, financial resources, youth empowerment and entertainment. To learn more, call (323) 752-6525 or email [email protected].
MLK Prayer Breakfast
The Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization in L.A., is set for Saturday, Jan. 13, at 8 a.m., at the Proud Bird Restaurant, 11022 Aviation Blvd., in Los Angeles.
Dr. Michael Howard, Loyola Marymount professor, will address the theme, “Rethinking King’s Message of Faith, Lover, and Truth.” Dr. Horace Williams, past president of the Black Laity Catholic Ministry, will receive the annual Drum Major Award for his work in transforming the lives of gang members in Pasadena.
SCLC King Week 2024
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California (SCLC) plans several programs to honor Dr. King.
On Thursday, Jan. 11, at 8 a.m., the MLK Interfaith Prayer Breakfast takes place at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd., in Los Angeles. According to Pastor William Smart, SCLC president/CEO, the theme is “Moving in Prayer, Leading with Reconciliation, and Forward to Action.”
The Rev. Dr. Ken Walden, Holman pastor, is the keynote speaker. The honorees are Dafer M. Dakhil, executive director of the Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation; Sherry Purcell, president of Immaculate Heart Community; and Nirinjan Singh Khalsa, executive director of California Sikh Council. The breakfast is sponsored by the L.A. Department of Water and Power. To RSVP, visit sclc-sc.org.
SCLC, Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, and Skirball Cultural Center presents “A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m., at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., in L.A.
The program features music by ICYOLA including an orchestration of “The Hill We Climb,” the 2021 Inauguration Day poem by Amanda Gorman. Admission is free, but reservations are required by visiting skirball.org or calling (310) 440-4500.
On Sunday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m., SCLC will hold the 53rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Awards and Benefit Gala at the Sheraton Gateway LAX Hotel, 6101 W. Century Blvd., in Los Angeles.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber will be the keynote speaker and the recipient of the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award. Other honorees are Attorney Do Kim, Drum Major for Justice Award; Ayuko Babu, SCLC-SC Kisanii Award; Dr. John Griffith and Dr. Jerry Abraham, Community Justice Award; and Dr. Mark and Avis Ridley-Thomas, Transformative Resistance Award. For tickets, visit scls-sc.org
Kingdom Day Parade
The 39th Annual Kingdom Day Parade will be held on Monday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. The parade begins on Arlington Ave. and King Blvd., and travels west to Crenshaw Blvd., and then south to Vernon Ave. The theme is “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, Going to the Promised Land.”
Councilmembers Honor MLK with Freedom Festival
In honor of Martin Luther King Day, Council President Pro Tem Marqueece Harris-Dawson (CD8), Councilman Curren Price (CD9), and Councilwoman Heather Hutt (CD10) will co-sponsor the Freedom Festival in Leimert Park Village on Jan. 15, at 11 a.m.
The event will be held after the parade in historic Leimert Park at 43rd Place and Degnan Blvd. This free community gathering will feature food and music, live performances from local artists, inspirational speeches on non-violence and social justice, engaging arts and crafts for children, and a job fair to connect those seeking employment to city departments and local businesses.
“There’s no better way to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King than to come together as one community to uplift, advocate for, and celebrate each other. Our Freedom Festival is a day that promises Angelenos a safe space to gather in peace and prosperity, and celebrate the lessons MLK spent decades trying to instill in us all,” said Hutt.
Harris-Dawson added, “Year after year, you see families show to carry on the tradition of the longest running parade in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. This tradition brings us closer to each and to the work that King left for us to do. Let’s get to work!”
Offering similar comments, Price said, “Let’s honor Dr. King’s dream as we build bridges and strengthen our bonds as one people, fostering unity and respect among diverse communities. Each year, the Freedom Festival invites Angelenos to embrace our collective humanity, develop a more inclusive perspective, and learn and grow from our own personal journeys to the mountaintop.”
