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Events Guide: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In St. Louis

Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr by attending several events that will be hosted throughout the area. Occasions include lectures, discussions, music performances, and marches.

All events are free unless otherwise stated.

Know of another event worth adding? Send to Erin Williams at ewilliams@stlpublicradio.org

January 12

Women Who Dare To Dream

Harris-Stowe State University hosts the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri’s State Celebration kickoff event. The Trumpet Awards Foundation’s CEO, executive producer, founder, and president Xernona Clayton will deliver the keynote address.

6:30 p.m. Harris-Stowe State University’s Main Auditorium

*January 14

"Monday Movie Madness"

St. Louis Public Library honors the legacy of Dr. King with their weekly movie series. On this day they are screening the documentary “Good Day To Die,” which tells the story of Native American Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement.  Refreshments and discussion to follow.

6 p.m., Schlafly Branch - 225 North Euclid Avenue

January 17

St. Louis Jewish Book Festival presents a discussion with author and Rabbi Ben Kamin and Black Repertory Company founder Ron Himes on civil rights and social justice. Includes presentation in honor of Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis President & CEO Dr. James Buford for his work in helping to solidify African American and Jewish relations.

$8, 7 p.m. at Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex

2 Millstone Campus Drive
Tickets: brownpapertickets.com/event/310382

January 18

"Where Justice & Charity Meet: Fighting Hunger In St. Louis"

A roundtable discussion on fighting hunger in St. Louis, with a keynote address to be given by Jeanne Mott Oxford, executive director of the Missouri Association for Social Welfare.

Norman K Probstein Golf Course, Forest Park

8 a.m. – Noon

$10

Register by emailing hungerstlouis@gmail.com

January 18 and 21

“Overcoming Inequality…Embracing Diversity”

Barnes-Jewish and St Louis Children’s Hospitals present Reverend Michele Sue, the first black woman elder ordained in Missouri United Methodism on January 18; and past president and founding member of the National Black Sisters Conference Sister Mary Antona Ebo, FSM, on January 21.

January 18 at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, third floor auditorium

January 21, Noon at the Eric P. Newman Education Center, 320 South Euclid

Noon, with 11:30 a.m. music prelude at both events

Credit Brock Roseberry/Wikimedia Commons
Martin Luther King Bridge over the Mississippi River between St. Louis and East St. Louis. Built in 1951 and named as Veterans Memorial Bridge, it was dedicated in King's honor in 1968. (Brock Roseberry/Wikimedia Commons)

January 19

“We Got What We Wanted But Lost What We Had”

Presented by the St. Louis Art Museum

Keynote speech given by John A. Wright, Ph.D discussing King’s vision of equality and peace.

8:30 A.M. Gallery 216.

23rd annual Saint Louis Science Center's Minority Scientists Showcase

Over 30 science-based organizations will showcase their talent and skill with youth and families over the holiday weekend. On Monday, live music and African dance performances in addition to prize drawings and demonstrations will be featured.

January 19 - 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

January 20 - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

January 21 - 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

“Rhythm and Rhyme”

“Rhyme Man” Stanley Pitchford and company hold a reading and poetry recitation in tribute to Dr. King

1 p.m., St. Louis Public Library - Baden Branch

'Building the Foundation To Your Financial Legacy'

Hosted by Washington University in St. Louis' Society of Black Student Social Workers and the Office of Student Affairs

A day of seminars and workshops focused on retirement, investing, building wealth and more. Lunch provided.

9 a.m., Brown Hall - Room 100

Free and open to the public. RSVP at brownschool.wustl.edu

January 20

Advancing The Dream: Healing Our Divisions

Keynote speech to be given by Rabbi Susan Talve, Central Reform Congregation, with presentations from the Christ Our Redeemer AME Choir and 3 Central

3 p.m. St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley

“I May Not Get There With You”

Presented by Missouri History Museum

With a concentration on speeches given during the final year of his life, homage is paid to King through poetry, music, images, and more.

3 p.m. and 7 p.m., AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room

January 21

“Let Freedom Ring”

Christ Church Cathedral hosts a day long reading of King’s speeches in a round-robin style. Volunteers can sign up to manage sessions of 30 minutes at a time.

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

210 Locust Street

Sign up: letfreedomring2013.wikispaces.com/

Southern Mission Baptist Church hosts a celebration with musical guests and guest speaker Dr. Gwendolyn Diggs, assistant superintendent of Ferguson-Florissant School District.

10 a.m., 8171 Wesley Ave.

Wentzville Martin Luther King Jr Celebration

March of Unity will be held at 10 a.m. from the Missouri Department of Revenue license office (807 E. Pierce Boulevard)  to Wentzville City Hall (310 W. Pierce Boulevard)

Speech and evening program will be held at 7 p.m. in the Holt High School Auditorium (600 Campus Drive)

Senior pastor Reverend B.T. Rice Jr will deliver the keynote address. Additional entertainment includes choir presentations, dancing, and scholarship presentation.

50 Years of Fulfilling The Dream

UMSL commemorates King’s birthday with a keynote speech delivered by author and political commentator Dr. Julianne Malveaux. Music presentations include a performance by the Dickson String Quartet and the Normandy High School Jazz Band. UMSL will also pay homage to its footnote in civil rights with a video presentation that chronicles a half-century of programs and people. There will also be a program for children ages 5-11 occurring simultaneously in the lobby.

10 a.m., Touhill Performing Arts Center
One University Boulevard

Martin Luther King Celebration Lecture

"Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?"
Keynote speech given by David R. Williams, M.P.H. Ph.D.

4:00 p.m. in the Eric P. Newman Center at Washington University School of Medicine
320 S. Euclid Av. Reception to follow.   

Call 314-362-6854 to RSVP or email diversity@msnotes.wustl.edu.

“Hope In Action” King Commemoration at Washington University in St. Louis

Featuring student presentations and performances by the Visions Gospel Choir and Orchestrating Diversity urban youth orchestra

Keynote speech given by Vice Provost and professor Adrienne Davis

7 p.m., Washington University in St. Louis - Graham Chapel

January 22

“I’ve Been To The Mountaintop:  Readers Theater In Four Voices”

Theater group A Call2Conscience performs a dramatic reading of King’s speech “I’ve Been To The Mountaintop,” including songs and audience participation.

7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library - Carpenter Branch

3309 South Grand Boulevard

January 28

“King, Montgomery To Memphis”

St. Louis Public Library presents a documentary screening that traces the life of Dr. King with newsreel and television footage.

6 p.m., Julia Davis Branch
4415 Natural Bridge Avenue
 

*Screening of “Tavis Smiley Reports: MLK, A Call to Conscience" will be held January 28