Los Angeles celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. at the California African American Museum with Art, Culture and Community at this Free Family Friendly Event.
California African American Museum (CAAM) Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Enjoy an array of vibrant programs and activities for all ages.
Bring the kids for art-making activities and food, visit our exhibitions, hear a marathon reading of King’s lesser-known speeches and sermons.
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Family Drop-in Art Activities
Dream Catchers
Use quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr. combined with your own to create dream catchers that imagine a better future.
Peace Garden
Inspired by the beautiful, two-toned grandiflora rose named in honor of Coretta Scott King, contribute to a community peace garden installation.
Marking the Movement
Make a unique bookmark of MLK’s words and image using collage techniques. Complete the workshop by joining our Readers to Leaders Circle where you can read to the group or enjoy hearing uplifting stories read aloud by others.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. — King Study
Listen to a recording of King’s 1964 Nobel Prize acceptance speech then stay for a group discussion about how his words relate to our lives today.
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Women of the Civil Rights Movement
Often overlooked throughout history, countless women have played pivotal roles in the Civil Rights Movement. This panel explores the roles of these women and the challenges they faced in the fight for racial equality. Panelists include Meta Golding, the actress who depicts Rosa Parks in the upcoming film Behind the Movement (February 2018); Jan Perry, former LA councilwoman and currently general manager of the Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department; Brenda Stevenson, UCLA Vice Chair, Undergraduate Studies, Department of History; and writer/activist Rebecca Walker. Moderated by Jaia Thomas, attorney and member of the CAAM History Council.
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Speeches
Listen to a marathon reading of Martin Luther King, Jr. speeches by Professor Jody Amour, USC School of Law; Justin Andrews, program manager for strategic initiatives at the Liberty Hill Foundation; Funmilola Fagbamila, professor of Africana Studies at CSULA; and Matthew J. Miller, Ph.D candidate and writer, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Reading: The Mountaintop
The celebration concludes with a reading from The Mountaintop, written by American playwright Katori Hall and read by actors Larry Powell and Dominique Morrisseau. This critically acclaimed play is a fictional depiction of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last night on earth, set in room 306 of the Lorraine Motel on the eve of his assassination in 1968. Language may not be suitable for all audiences.
The CAAM is located at 600 State Drive in Los Angeles.
You can RSVP to this event at Event Brite
