Detroit Regional Chamber > Racial Justice & Economic Equity > MLK Day in Detroit: Get Involved with these Events and Organizations

MLK Day in Detroit: Get Involved with these Events and Organizations

January 13, 2021
How are you reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy this MLK Day? Check out eight ways that you can get involved from home below.


Legacy & Justice: MLK Community Shabbat & Weekend of Service

Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

“Repair The World Detroit, The Well, The Coalition for Black Jewish Unity, and One Table are teaming up for a virtual Shabbat experience, filled with meaningful music, learning, and discussion to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Together on Zoom, we’ll gather to welcome this special Shabbat with music, prayer, and intention. After our short service, we’ll split into breakout rooms where we’ll dive deeper into the legacy of MLK, and use a lens of Jewish values and wisdom to explore the continuous journey of working towards justice.

One Table invites participants in their 20s and 30s to support Black-owned restaurants this Shabbat.” More info and registration here. Learn more about all of Repair The World’s activities for their weekend of service, including a donation drive for Brilliant Detroit, Jan. 15-18th here.


Sunday Solidarity: Building Beloved Community

Jan. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Detroit Disability Power’s Sunday Solidarity: Building Beloved Community virtual event will offer you an afternoon of community organizing and self-care inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the work he did connecting every form of liberation. You will have the chance to learn and share about all things justice, politics, and movement—connecting disability rights with the issues you care about! Join us for this lead-up to MLK Day in Detroit. RSVP here to save your spot. ASL interpretation and CART provided.


The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jan. 18 at 10 a.m.

Join The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for a virtual presentation featuring a gospel performance by Ebenezer Missionary Church, Teen Hype, and Detroit Police Athletic League.  More info here.

 

 


University of Michigan’s 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium

Jan. 18 at 10 a.m.

Glean successes and lessons from the civil rights movement and King’s life and legacy under the theme, “Where Do We Go From Here?”

This year’s symposium keynote features two speakers, Gloria House, poet, essayist, educator and human rights activist, and Malik Yakini, co-founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. The program can be viewed here.


18th Annual Detroit MLK Day Virtual Rally & Cultural Program

Jan. 18 at 12 p.m.

In honor of the peace and social justice legacy of Dr. King we are calling on all conscious people in southeastern Michigan and beyond to join this virtual event. Dr. King during the last year of his life was a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War. King linked the rising rates of impoverishment with the failure of the ruling interests to end imperialist military adventures and occupations. He drew the connections that made him a target for the ruling class of his day. We owe it to his legacy to continue this work into the 21st century.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are holding the entire program virtually. The event will be streamed utilizing Facebook, Zoom, and YouTube. Although we are not gathering in-person, the online character of the event provides the opportunity to invite guests from around the U.S. and the world.


MLK Streets: More Than a Name

Jan. 18 at 1 p.m.

“Across America, over 900 streets bear the name of Martin Luther King, Jr. For MLK Day 2021, the Black Historic Sites Committee and the Detroit Historical Society are taking an in-depth look into how race and geography have played a role in naming streets after King and whether the streets have lived up to his legacy and dreams.

Join us for a virtual panel discussion and special viewing of the 15-minute film short “King Blvd.,” which will set the set stage for the discussion.” More info and registration here.


National Day of Healing from Racism

Jan. 19 at 10 a.m.

Join the Detroit Equity Action Lab, Wayne State University Office of Multicultural Student Engagement, Wayne State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Wayne State University LatinX Student Association, and the Wayne State University Black Student Union for a full day of online sessions focused on healing from racism. Sessions include guided meditation, fishbowl discussions, art therapy, coping and radical self-care, gratitude activities, and a poetry showcase.

The National Day of Healing from Racism is a part of the National Day of Racial Healing led by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) initiative – a national and community-based process to plan for and bring about transformational and sustainable change and to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism.

Click here to learn more and register for a session.


Variations on a Dream Presented by Mosaic Youth Theatre

Jan. 16-18

Celebrate MLK Day with resounding themes of hope, peace, and opportunity through Mosaic’s 3-day event: Variations on a Dream. Variations on a Dream will feature a collection of new works that examine race, power, privilege, and the combined forces of hope and courage. Through performance and dialogue, this 3-day event will take audiences on a journey that explores current socio-political challenges while creating spaces for conversations that heal and bridge communities.

This event will begin virtually on January 16th and 17th at 1:18 PM, with live broadcasts of performances centered around MLK and Langston Hughes. On Monday, join Mosaic at 7 PM at the Ford Drive-In in Dearborn to witness specifically curated content. Spots are limited–register today! For more information & registration, visit https://mosaicdetroit.org/variations-on-a-dream/