Community Corner

MLK Day Celebrations in and Around Bed-Stuy

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' - Dr. King

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a national holiday, an opportunity to reflect upon the important, historic role that non-violent, organized civil resistance and faith has played in securing the civil and human rights of all American citizens.

To follow is a list of educational and celebratory events and activities in Bedford-Stuyvesant and surrounding neighborhoods, leading up to Dr. King’s birthday on Monday, January 16.

Find out what's happening in Bed-Stuywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2012 

  • Join Habitat for Humanity at the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church for “Building on the Dream,” a celebration of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” on January 14, at 2pm., at 869 Halsey St, Bklyn. The Keynote Address will be given by the Honorable Karim Camara,  of the 43rd A.D., and Pastor of Abundant Life Church. A commemorative poem in King’s honor will be performed by the NYCHA Youth Chorus and Jonathan Walton of the Intervarsity NYC Urban Project. The event is free. RSVP at mfang@habitatnyc.org.
  • The Brooklyn Children’s Museum, located at 145 Brooklyn Avenue, has an entire weekend of activities to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday: Saturday, January 14, from 2:30–3:30pm (Ages 6 and up), Explore the big ideas and images that surround the legacy of the great civil rights leader. Investigate symbols and slogans of the Civil Rights Movement. Create your own living legacy collage.  On Saturday and Sunday, January 14-15, “Let’s Join Hands,” from 2:30- 3:30pm. Explore the differences and similarities of various cultures and we learn about tolerance and peace. Learn Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of friendship and love as he joined hands with people of all colors on his march to freedom. Create a hand wreath to take home.
  • Join 500 Men Making a Difference for its Martin Luther King Jr. 72 Hour Painting Project and Breakfast, at the Paul Robeson Theatre, 40 Greene Ave Bklyn, NY, beginning Friday, January 13, at 11:00pm and ending on Monday, January 16, 11:00pm. Over a straight 72-hour period, the 500 Men organization will clear the first floor of the Paul Robeson Theater at 40 Greene Ave. in Downtown Brooklyn. We believe this is a fitting way to pay tribute to a man that was committed to uplifting the community and the people. In addition, 500 Men will host a men’s breakfast at 9:00am on MLK day at 525 Waverly Pl.   This effort is being coordinated by community minded men who want to work collectively in large groups to make a difference in the communities they live in. Please join us to put the Man back in Manhood and accomplish some tangible goals together.
  • Celebrate Dr. King's legacy at the Brookly Public Library with readings and performances by young poets, young musicians from the Noel Pointer
    Foundation and Emmy Award winner Adrienne Danrich. All activities will take place on Saturday, January 14, beginning at 2:00pm, in BPL's Dweck Center, Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Bklyn, NY.

SUNDAY, January 15, 2012

Find out what's happening in Bed-Stuywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • The First Berean Baptist Church will hold its first MLK Day Celebration, on Sunday, January 15, at 4:00pm, with guest preacher and speaker Congressman Ed Towns of the 10th Congressional District. First Berean is located at 1635 Dr. Hylton L. James Boulevard (Bergen at Rochester Avenue), Bklyn, NY. The event is free and open to the public
  • In the 1950s, de-segregating schools was a major focus in the fight for racial equality. Half a century later, equality in education is still a major battleground, but the fight has changed from access to schools to what happens inside them. On January 15 at 3:00pm, WNYC’s sixth annual MLK Celebration will explore this enduring issue with In MLK’s Footsteps: Education as a Civil Right at the . WNYC's Brian Lehrer and political journalist Jami Floyd will lead a discussion with Brown v. Board of Ed plaintiff John A. Stokes, historians, academics, education experts, and cultural critic Touré about the “evolution of the civil rights struggle around education since King’s time, and what’s left to be done in education reform.” It’s free and open to the public, but you must make a reservation here.

 
MONDAY, January 16, 2012

  • On Monday, January 16, at 10:30am, BAM will celebrate its 26th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York will present. This celebration is New York City’s largest public celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, BAM welcomes keynote speaker Dennis M. Walcott, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. Musical performances by Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely and The Institutional Radio Choir C.O.G.I.C. of Brooklyn round out the program. Following the event in the Opera House, BAM Rose Cinemas presents a free screening of the film The Black Power Mixtape 1967—1975. Featuring never-before-seen interviews with many leaders of the Black Power Movement this moving documentary features a treasure trove of footage shot by Swedish journalists who came to the US drawn by stories of urban unrest and revolution. BAM Howard Gilman Opera House Free! First come, first seated. One ticket per person.
  • The Martin Luther King Day Bedford Stuyvesant Tour: As Harlem is to Manhattan, Bed-Stuy is to Brooklyn — a memorable Victorian era neighborhood undergoing a dramatic Renaissance. Discover some of the finest residential blocks, churches and apartment houses in New York City, as well as structures associated with F.W. Woolworth, Aaron Copland, and Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The tour historic tour of Bed-Stuy will take place on Monday, January 16, beginning at 11:00am. Meet your guide at the S.W. corner of Fulton and Franklin streets, outside the turnstiles in the Franklin Ave. subway station. The tour is $15.
  • On Monday, January 16, at 11:00am, Boys and Girls High School, located at 1700 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, will host a Martin Luther King Day Celebration. This event will examine the life of Dr. King and critique several of his writings and speeches including the, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” “Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam”, and “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” Principal Bernard Gassaway has committed Boys and Girls H.S. students to 25,000 hours of community service this school year. There will be performances by students and community artists at this event. For further information please call 718-467-1700 Ext. 1230. The event is free!
  • On Monday, January 16, from 1:30 – 2:30pm at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, located at 145 Brooklyn Avenue, hear about the day (Wednesday, August 28, 1963) that Civil Rights activist, Ms. Yolanda Clarke attended the "March on Washington (D.C.) for Jobs and Freedom." Listen as she describes the moments leading up to and including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech advocating for racial harmony on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial.  Afterwards, participate in a discussion with Ms. Clarke about her place in history, listen to renowned opera signer, Lawrence Craig, Jr., as he pays tribute in song to our beloved Dr. King and view a recording of one of the most noted events in history. (Due to limited capacity, tickets will be issued for this presentation starting at 12:30pm in our lobby. Tickets are free with admission to the museum).

 

TUESDAY, January 17, 2012

  • On Tuesday, January 17, 6pm, Macon Library will host a special program to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will feature a community dialogue facilitated by artist-activist Shani Jamila; an exploration of freedom music; a tribute to Civil Rights leaders of the past...and more! In addition, youth authors Amber Benton and Chental-Song Bembry will be onsite to distribute FREE books to all youth in attendance, courtesy of LiteracyNation.
   


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here