Nearly 50 years after the death of the Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., his tremendous impact continues to be felt as cities and organizations across the nation prepare to honor his contributions to civil rights. The many celebrations coincide with the national holiday observance of King’s birthday on Jan. 16
Locally, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California will sponsor multiple events over a three-week period as part of King Legacy Week 2017. The programs include workshops, lectures, film screenings and worship service throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
SCLC-SC, under the leadership of Pastor William D. Smart, Jr., president/CEO, and Alice Goff, executive board chair and president of AFSCME Local 36, garnered the backing of labor unions, faith groups, businesses and government officials to present the activities. Also, board members Pastor W. Monroe Campbell, John Ek, Anton Farmby and Attorney Jaime Wright have provided critical guidance and support.
The MLK Social Action Conference on Jan. 7, at 9 a.m., and the Ecumenical Worship Service on Jan. 8 at 4 p.m., are among the highlights of Legacy Week. Both events will be held at Bethel AME Church, 7900 S. Western St., in Los Angeles. Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the AME Church’s 5th District will speak at the worship service.
An Essay/Oratorical Contest for youth takes place on Jan. 10, at 6 p.m., at Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship, 2085 S. Harvard Blvd., in Los Angeles. On Jan. 11 at 6 p.m., a workshop for millennials will be hosted by Beth Chayim Chadashim House of New Life, 6090 W. Pico Blvd., in Los Angeles. At 7 p.m., the Theology in the Hood Revival will be held at Ward AME Church (see more on C1).
Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd., in Los Angeles, will be the site of the MLK Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 12, at 9 a.m. The Rev. Kelvin Sauls will be the speaker.
The S.E. Manly Film Festival is set for Jan. 13-15 at Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave., in Los Angeles. Also on Jan 15 at 4 p.m., the African American Cultural Center will present, “What Martin Luther King, Jr. Means to Us Today,” at its facility located at 3018 W. 48th St., in Los Angeles.
Legacy Week activities continue on Jan.16 with the Kingdom Day parade at 9 a.m., and the MLK Legacy Awards and Benefit Gala at 5 p.m., at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 W. Century Blvd., in Los Angeles. The concluding event will be a lecture by Dr. William Barber on Feb. 1, at 7 p.m., at Occidental College – Thornton Hall, in Los Angeles.
All events are free except the prayer breakfast, film festival and awards gala. For the complete schedule of events, visit sclc-sc.org.
