It’s been 35 years since the first national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was observed. Signed into law in 1983 by then President Ronald Regan – the bill established the 3rd Monday of each January as a national holiday. This years commemoration falls on his actual birthday, January 15.
The perseverance of many campaigning for the creation of the MLK federal holiday began after his 1968 assassination, and has become one of the greatest days of national service and volunteerism.
MLK Day Bay Area Happenings
Sunday, January 14
7 p.m. | Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr, Oakland, CA
“In The Name of Love”: The annual musical tribute honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an extensive civic and cultural event bringing our diverse community together to honor, through music, the inspirational teachings of the great Dr. King.
TICKETS: $8-40 https://www.livingjazz.org/mlk-tix
Monday, January 15
8:30 a.m. | H’s Lordship, 199 Seawall Drive, Berkeley, CA
The Annual Berkeley Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, draws hundreds of community members gather to start this day celebrating Dr. King with conversation, breakfast, speeches, songs and tributes.
TICKETS: $10-25 http://bit.ly/2CSA8Se
8:30 a.m. | City Hall Plaza (Manila Ave at San Pablo Ave)
The City of El Cerrito, St. Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the El Cerrito Branch NAACP, and the West Contra Costa County Unified School District are proud to sponsor the 29th Annual El Cerrito Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. The theme this year is: “Keeping the Dream Alive – Resilient in our Resistance.” 11am program will take place inside of the El Cerrito H.S. Performing Arts Theatre
FREE | http://bit.ly/2DblGWf
8:30 a.m. | Hilton Oakland Airport, 1 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA
2nd Annual MLK Freedom Breakfast honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Guests will enjoy opportunities to meet other trailblazer and pioneers within the community. This year’s theme is “FREEDOM” and guests will enjoy opportunities to reflect on this word and its relevance in today’s political, social, and racial climates.
TICKETS: $70 http://bit.ly/2w8n4Rp
9 a.m. | Oakland
Service for Peace has partnered with Oakland Public Works to lead the annual Oakland MLK Day of Service. Now in its 16th year, these service activities activates thousands of volunteers in projects to clean and green Oakland. Over 15 project locations
FREE | Click for service locations and details
10 a.m. | Oakland City Church, 2735 MacArthur Blvd. (at Coolidge), Oakland, CA
Oakland City Church & Hood Movement 21 presents: Can Oakland Be Healed? Keynote Speaker: Hon. Rebecca Kaplan, Oakland City Councilperson At-Large. The FREE commemoration includes music, refreshments, and special guests.
FREE
10 a.m. | ILWU Local 6 99, Hegenberger Rd, Oakland, CA 94621
Celebrate Dr. King’s mission of “Keeping Hope Alive” during the 26th annual MLK Jr. Multicultural Rally alongside labor unions, local leaders, and elected officials. Program will include vendors, guest speakers, performances and refreshments.
FREE | Facebook Event Page
11 a.m. | Caltrain Station, 700 4th Street, San Francisco, CA
Join thousands during the MLK2018 Commemorative March/parade from San Francisco’s Caltrain Station to Yerba Buena Gardens, hosted by the NorCal MLK Foundation. The 1.5 mile journey crosses the Lefty O’Doul Bridge and stops at Willie Mays Plaza at AT&T Park to commemorate the historic crossing of Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge. Upon arrival, program will begin hosted by the SF Interfaith Council. Participants are encouraged to arrive early. Programs offered Jan 13-15, for details visit http://sfmlkday.org
FREE | Group Registration
11 a.m. | Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), 685 Mission St (at 3rd), San Francisco, CA
MoAD will celebrate the national observance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a Day of Service, providing FREE admission to the museum and programs throughout the day.
FREE | Schedule & Details
1 p.m. | San Leandro Senior Center, 13909 E. 14th Street, San Leandro, CA
Free Speech or Hate Speech? Join Unity in the Community for their 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. discussion on Hiding Racism Behind the First Amendment. Keynote Speaker, Alan Schlosser, Senior Counsel, ACLU. Panel discussion to follow.
FREE
7 p.m. | First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA
For the third year, First Church Berkeley is teaming up with City of Refuge UCC for” Creating Sanctuaries of Love,” a benefit concert celebrating the legacy and future of African-American culture through song. The evening will include a wide variety of music and poetry.
TICKETS: $20 https://sanctuariesoflove.brownpapertickets.com
Online Resources
The King Center: http://www.thekingcenter.org
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research & Education Institute: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu
Corporation for National & Community Service: https://www.nationalservice.gov/mlkday
Points of Light: https://ww2.pointsoflight.org/mlkday
Something missing? Send your MLK Day details to info@faithinthebay.com
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