Photograph by Herman Hiller, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress
Each January, we honor the extraordinary life of Martin Luther King Jr., and this year several organizations are marking the day with educational events and celebrations. Whether you're looking for virtual learning activities or the chance to remember King’s powerful legacy alongside members of the community, there’s a local event for you.
2022 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance in Fountain Park
On January 15, the Fountain Park-Lewis Place Committee will host their fifth-annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance. The theme this year is “Where Do We Go from Here? Ensuring Political, Economic, Social, and Health Equity for Our City and Region,” and the event will include a commencement ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Mayor Tishaura Jones is scheduled to speak, along with Ward 18 Alderman Jesse Todd. The event will also include a Peace Walk beginning at 10:30 a.m. by the Dr. King statue in Fountain Park.
The Missouri Historical Society is honoring King with a three-day celebration. If weather permits, the museum will be offering book giveaways and craft kits on January 15 from noon to 3 p.m. and on January 16 from noon to 5 p.m. An all-ages virtual yoga session featuring gospel music will be on offer from 4-5 p.m. January 16. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day the museum will present three Zoom programs: a youth activism workshop recommended for ages 12-18, a youth activism workshop recommended for ages 6-12, and a St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature storytelling performance.
Embracing the Dream in a Season of Uncertainty
The University of Missouri-St. Louis’ Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is presenting this virtual event on January 17 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Discussions will be led by Yamiche Alcindor, host of Washington Week, White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour, and political contributor to NBC News and MSNBC. The annual observance is sponsored by UMSL's African American Alumni Chapter, the Chancellor's Cultural Diversity Council, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Zeta Sigma Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Xi Zeta Chapter, and St. Louis Public Radio.
7th Annual Mid County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
The neighboring cities of Pine Lawn and Wellston and community stakeholders will host this seventh-annual Mid County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The theme for this year’s event is “Perseverance through Racism, Inequality & Health Care Inequity.” On January 17, viewers have the option to tune in on Facebook Live or attend in person at Barack Obama Elementary School.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. at the Wellston Community Center, with a program to follow at Barack Obama Elementary School featuring guest speakers Dr. Na’Nette Ashford, Director of Graduate Admissions at Washington University in St. Louis, and Congresswoman Cori Bush.
2022 Virtual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Celebration: Joy as an Act of Resistance
The Saint Louis Art Museum will once again welcome individuals to their Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration virtually this year. The event is inspired by Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer Moneta Sleet Jr., who captured photos of King that encompass the idea of “joy as an act of resistance.” Local Black performing artists Alicia Revé, Freeman World, and Robert Crenshaw will react to Sleet’s images through spoken word, music, and dance. This on-demand event will be available to view digitally January 17.
2022 MLK, Jr. Celebration Speaker
On January 20 at 6 p.m., Maryville University will host 2017 Time 100 honoree Tamika Mallory as guest speaker for the school’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. Attendees can catch up with the State of Emergency: How We Win in the Country We Built author at a book signing and reception in the President’s Conference Center following the event. The hybrid event will also be offered on Zoom for those who cannot attend in person.
