#NotJustADayOff
We ask the question: What does MLK Jr. Day mean to you?
Martin Luther King Jr. day this year is Monday, January 17th. Black families continue to suffer from economic inequity, continue to lose the most basic of rights yet we find resilience and hope in each other. We take pride in our culture and the clout it represents. We are finding new ways to define our joy. MLK Jr. Day is not a day of celebration but a day of rededication to the movement of the people and to the need for social action within our communities. Voting rights is just the minimum of our expectations. Until we as a country can reconcile our horrific past, we will be challenged to build an equitable and inclusive future.
King’s family is planning to commemorate his legacy by encouraging Congress to pass federal voting rights legislation. The history of voting rights served as a cornerstone in pursuit of achieving the right to vote which culminated in the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In 2022, his family continues to honor his vision and work by asking for “No celebration without legislation.” “We really believe this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore, protect, and expand my father’s legacy.”
As The People’s Station, we want to recognize the impacting legacy and contribution to freedom that Dr. King embodies as we continue to be inspired by his activism and accomplishments within our own communities.
Denver Events:
Realizing the Dream
January 9 – 17
City of Aurora 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration 2022
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute
Tuesday, January 11 – 7:30 pm
Boettcher Concert Hall
The evening will feature special guest performances and will honor recipients of the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Awards. See PROGRAM
With Infinite Hope: MLK and the Civil Rights Movement
Airing on RMPBS on Thursday, January 13 – 10 pm
With Infinite Hope looks back at the life, leadership, and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program follows King’s career from his hiring at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and leadership of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, through his death on April 4th, 1968 in Memphis. The documentary includes interviews with people who participated in well-known events of the Civil Rights Movement: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Freedom Rides, the Birmingham Children’s March, Selma, and the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike.
2022 MLK Peace Breakfast: Overcoming the Pandemic of Racism
Friday, January 14 at 9 am
The breakfast was created to celebrate the life and philosophy of Dr. King and includes a program and awards ceremony.
The Dream: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
January 16 – 1 to 5 pm
Dairy Arts Center, Boulder
Presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Boulder County and Second Baptist Church and marks the opening of the exhibit from the Withers Museum of Memphis by the noted Civil Rights Photographer, the late Dr. Ernest C. Withers. This opening event will include musical, spoken word, dance, and video presentations, as well as several featured speakers. The exhibit will run through February 28, and the ongoing display is presented by the NAACP Boulder County Executive Committee for African American Cultural Events. Reserve your tickets here.
Undoing the Noble Crusade Documentary Screening
January 16 at 7 pm
Dairy Arts Center, Boulder
Presented by Boulder Community Media. Undoing the Noble Crusade is based on a passage from “Why We Can’t Wait,” a book by Martin Luther King, Jr. The short film by Alan O’Hashi commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Native American Rights Fund that was established in the spirit of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. This screening will be followed by a screening of “Beyond Sand Creek” about the efforts of the Arapaho tribe to undo stereotypes, renew their language and culture, and tie those to their traditional homeland in Boulder. Reserve your tickets here.
Martin Luther King Marade (March & Parade)
Monday, January 17 – 9 am
City Park & Civic Center Park, Denver
Marchers and parade fans typically congregate at the Dr. King memorial site in City Park at 9 am. The Marade begins at 10 am with participants marching together to Civic Center Park. This year’s event may be virtual. Map
No One Should Be Hungry
Monday, January 17 – 2 to 5 pm
9898 E Colfax Ave, Aurora
To have free meals delivered, picked up, or to volunteer, click HERE or call 303.297.0823
Free Dinner Giveaway & Resource Fair In partnership and collaboration with the community, the brother jeff Cultural Center is providing FREE meals on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 17, 2022. If a meal would help you and yours, please fill out the form below. Meals will be ready starting at 2:30 pm and will be served and delivered until 4 pm.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration – The Security of Justice
Monday, January 17 – 4 pm
Newman Center/June Swaner Gates Concert Hall
The University of Denver’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration creates a community-wide understanding and celebration of the historical struggle, accomplishments, and efforts of social movements sparked by various injustices in the world. Our keynote speaker is Rep. Leslie Herod, with spoken word by JC Futrell, and music by Denver-based singer Such.
Mile 17: A Conversation on the Labor & Love of Belonging
Monday, January 17 – m
RedLine Contemporary Art Center, Denver
Award-winning choreographer and performance artist Helanius J. Wilkins is set to lead Mile 17: A Conversation on the Love & Labor of Belonging, a panel to honor and celebrate the Martin L. King Jr. holiday by creating a brave and courageous space to bring together intergenerational members of the Denver-metro area to reflect on stories that inform our sense of belonging and community today, and dreams for a better future.