Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day With Civil Rights Icon Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
January 9, 2023 12:07 PM
by Melinda Espinoza
Join the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition for the 38th annual celebration of MLK, Jr. Day on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at John Adams Middle School. The theme for 2023 is: When you stand up for justice, you can never fail. The festivities will include inspirational remarks, music, and dance, and the presentation of Education and Community Light Awards.
The Coalition is delighted to welcome Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., a long- standing civil rights leader, as the keynote speaker. As a young man, Dr. Chavis was a youth coordinator and Southern Christian Leadership Conference assistant to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now, Dr. Chavis is an author, journalist, environmentalist, United Church of Christ ordained minister, and global entrepreneur, and is currently President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which advocates for publishers of the nation’s black newspapers.
EVENT INFORMATION
REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. NATIONAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
January 16, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center (2425 16th St.)
Masks are required.
mlkjrwestside.org
After the celebration, attendees are encouraged to visit the Community Involvement Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for information and conversation with representatives from a variety of community organizations. More information: involvementfair@gmail.com.
Please also check out these other Santa Monica events honoring Dr. King during the extended Weekend of Celebrations:
UNFINISHED WORK FEATURING YOUNG ORATORS - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Advancing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Racial Equity
Thursday, January 12, 2023, 6 p.m.
New Roads School (3131 Olympic Blvd.)
newroads.org/MLK
MLK FREEDOM CELEBRATION VIA ZOOM
Sponsored by the Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council
Friday, January 14, 2023, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
minister@ciop4justice.org
SANTA MONICA SYMPHONY ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CONCERT
Gary Pratt, Guest Conductor
Saturday, January 14, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center (2425 16th St.)
smsymphony.org
For updates and more information, visit: mlkjrwestside.org; Facebook @mlkwestsidecoalition; Instagram @MLKWestside; Twitter @WestsideMLK.
The 2023 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration is presented by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition and sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College Associates, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, SGI-USA, Rand Corporation, Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council as well as a variety of other organizations and individuals.
Authored By
Melinda Espinoza
Communications and Marketing Coordinator