{"id":21101,"date":"2022-01-15T19:43:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-16T03:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=21101"},"modified":"2022-01-15T19:43:39","modified_gmt":"2022-01-16T03:43:39","slug":"how-to-celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-day-in-the-bay-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2022\/01\/15\/how-to-celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-day-in-the-bay-area\/","title":{"rendered":"How to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Bay Area"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anne Schrager\u00a0January 11, 2021 (datebook.sfchronicle.com)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Henry Johnson cleans the glass at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice \/ The Chronicle 1994<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a normal year, the Bay Area plays host to many special events and marches to celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader and Georgia-born minister who became the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace prize at 35. The national holiday, which takes place on the third Monday of January each year, serves as a day of remembrance for King, who was killed in Memphis in 1968. This year, the holiday falls on Monday, Jan. 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the nation grapples with unrest in the midst of the pandemic<\/a> and political transitions of power<\/a>, organizations across our region and beyond are offering virtual events, volunteer opportunities and other ways for people of all ages to observe the holiday safely this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some resources to help you celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For \u2018All American\u2019 showrunner, tackling issues relevant to Black youth is a matter of life and death<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MLK Day Walk of Dreams on the Richmond Greenway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Watershed Project<\/a> plans to create a community installation to celebrate East Bay environmental justice heroes. Take part by writing anything from a word to a sentence that conveys your dreams for Richmond on an online \u201cWalk of Dreams Board.\u201d<\/a> The project will transcribe these sentiments onto fabric swatches and add them to the \u201cliving sculptures\u201d located along the Richmond Greenway<\/a>. If you live near or visit the Greenway, you can write your dream on a blank piece of fabric, which will be on the sculptures and available to view starting Jan. 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jan. 4-31, available to view in person starting on Jan. 16. Free. bit.ly\/3oa5CaO<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NorCalMLK Virtual Celebration 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Though the march and in-person events of the annual NorCalMLK celebration will not be happening this year, organizers have pivoted to a series of online offerings that include a \u201cKing and Faith Speaker Series<\/a>\u201d Jan. 17, 18 and 21. In partnership with the San Francisco Public Library, the annual Black and Brown Comix Arts Festival<\/a> celebrates works by people of color in popular visual culture with programs and activities for all ages from Jan. 16 to 18. More featured online programming will include a health and wellness festival from Jan. 16 to18; the \u201cMLK2021 Music Festival,\u201d presented in partnership with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, on Jan. 18, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jan. 11-21. Free. sfmlkday.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AfroFuturism: SF Poet Laureate Monthly Poem Jam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

S.F. Poet Laureate Kim Shuck and special guests present an evening of poetry reading in celebration of African American literature, featuring works by Ishmael Reed, Staajabu, Devorah Major, Tureeda Mikell, Avotcja and Dr. Glenn Parris. A viewing will be available on YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 p.m. Jan. 14. Free. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s name is etched into the wall at the Civil Rights Memorial at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala.Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez \/ The Chronicle 1998<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Where Do We Go From Here?\u2019 webinar and documentary film festival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University plans to host a four-day online event. The festival will feature more than 15 documentaries as well as live musical performances and panel discussions covering a range of topics, from the history of the civil rights and anti-apartheid movements to James Baldwin and Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s global visions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event will also introduce the World House Project, which is a new initiative of the King Institute in partnership with the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jan. 15-18. Free. 650-723-2092. kinginstitute.stanford.edu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OaklandMLK 40 Days of Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oakland residents are encouraged to take action locally, keeping neighborhoods, local parks and waterways clean by picking up litter, reporting illegal dumping and pledging to practice environmental conservation actions at home. The city of Oakland offers a list of resources and suggested acts of service on its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jan. 15-Feb 28. Free. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dharma of Kingian Nonviolence: Dr. King, Buddhist thought and social change in 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Explore questions and learn from the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the philosophy that was developed out of his teachings, known as Kingian Nonviolence, with East Point Peace Academy founder Kazu Haga<\/a>. This workshop will include presentations, guided meditation, small group discussion and other interactive online activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 a.m. Jan. 16. $45-$200.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flowers left at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco in honor of his birthday.Photo: James Tensuan \/ Special to The Chronicle 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sweet Honey in the Rock: MLK Day Celebration Reclaiming the Beloved Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The a cappella ensemble will share messages of hope, resilience and new beginnings celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a live-streamed concert featuring a lineup of special guests, including Kiki Shepard, Keith David, Mumu Fresh, Azar Lawrence and Wycliffe Gordon. With singers Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, Rochelle Rice, Christie Dashiell and Romeir Mendez on acoustic and electric bass. This performance will include American Sign Language interpreter Barbara Hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noon and 5 p.m. Jan. 17. $15.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living Jazz Presents: In the Name of Love: 19th Annual MLK Musical Tribute<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hosted by Dana King, this event lineup features many Oakland artists and activists including Kronos Quartet and Meklit, The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol, Branice McKenzie and Bryan Dyer with Glen Pearson, Living Jazz Children\u2019s Project, Myles Staples of the 2020 Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Tory Teasley and the Teasers, and a presentation of the Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award by Rep. Barbara Lee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 p.m. Jan. 17. Free, donations encouraged. livingjazz.org\/mlktribute<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MLK Golf Fundraiser<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MLK Day is one of the busiest golf days, so make sure to reserve your spot for one of the first golf fundraisers of 2021 at Helena\u2019s Franklin Canyon golf course. The event is open to all but space is limited. To reserve a spot, contact eguerrero@touchstonegolf.com or call 408-250-6930.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 a.m. Jan. 18. $65-$85. Franklin Canyon Golf Course, Highway 4, Hercules.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Tam and Parks Conservancy Present: \u2018Virtual Bioblitz\u2019 online launch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take part in this year\u2019s special edition of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area\u2019s MLK Day \u201cbioblitz\u201d event and discover how you can help gather information about the many animals, plants and fungi species that inhabit our local parks. This Zoom event will provide an introduction to \u202fiNaturalist<\/a> \u2014 a social networking app used by scientists to share biodiversity information \u2014 including\u202fobservation, identification and annotation tips \u2014 before kicking off the data gathering period. Participants are encouraged to collect information through the end of January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 a.m. Jan. 18. Free, registration required.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Camila Escobar, 5, holds up a sign with a Martin Luther King Jr. quote last year during the MLK March in San Francisco.Photo: Paul Kuroda \/ Special to The Chronicle 2020<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2021 Mitzvah Day: Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto invites residents to join a virtual community-focused day of tikkun olam (repair of the world) to celebrate the MLK holiday. A variety of projects \u2014 including specialized food drives, no-sew toys for shelter animals, and hygiene kit making for the unsheltered \u2014 will be led by various nonprofit organizations, followed by a live-streamed concert featuring Lisa Fishman, Cantor Magda Fishman, Elmore James and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 a.m. Jan. 18. $5-$15. Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 650-223-8700. bit.ly\/3oihnMk<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

California African American Museum Presents: MLK 2021 Virtual Celebration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Celebrate the holiday with live music, culture and community featuring a performance by members of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, a study group examining the civil rights leader\u2019s 1968 speech in support of Memphis Sanitation Workers and more. At 2:30 p.m. there will be a family story time and poetry workshop with author Alice Faye Duncan reading from her children\u2019s book, \u201cMemphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968,\u201d followed by a haiku writing workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 a.m. Jan. 18. Free. 213-744-2024. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

24th Annual MLK Virtual Celebration: \u2018Let us Be Dissatisfied: Using Our Power to Bend the Arc\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Piedmont anti-racism and diversity committee and the city of Piedmont plan to present their annual MLK celebration virtually. This year\u2019s event is set to feature Oakland Rep. Barbara Lee<\/a>; Stanford professor and King Institute director Clayborne Carson, filmmaker Shakti Butler and others as featured speakers. The program will also include performances from the Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company and traditional Native American flutist Vince Redhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 a.m. Jan. 18. Free. padc.info<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hundreds of people march in Oakland on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2015.Photo: Brant Ward \/ The Chronicle 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7th Annual Day of Action to Reclaim MLK\u2019s Radical Legacy: Car Caravan Edition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This family-friendly event has been the primary King Day march in Oakland, with the goal of bringing together people across race, class and political ideology with a commitment to build a more just and equitable city. To encourage social distancing, the march is planned as a car caravan set to begin at the Port of Oakland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noon. Jan. 18. Free. Port of Oakland, 530 Water St., Oakland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

S.F. MoAD MLK Day Celebration and National Day of Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In lieu of their regular in-person event, the Museum of the African Diaspora will present a day of online programming set to include a children\u2019s story time with the S.F. Public Library, a civil rights era photography exhibition, spoken word\/poetry reading, collage art activity, and that will conclude with \u201cMeet Us Quickly: Performing and Painting for Justice,\u201d a discussion of the performance trilogy that addresses social justice issues with mass incarceration, as well as the \u201cMeet Us Quickly: Painting for Justice from Prison,\u201d digital exhibition created in conjunction with the performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contribute to their Digital MLK Offrenda<\/a> with images and thoughts inspired by Dr. King. The online platform serves as a digital altar to highlight and celebrate the achievements of Dr. King.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11:30 a.m. Jan. 18. Live stream viewing available on their YouTube<\/a> and Facebook<\/a> channels. Free. www.moadsf.org<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Museum of African American History and Culture Presents: The People\u2019s Holiday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This event features a live-streamed music performance with Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer and educator Christian McBride inspired by his social justice focused album, \u201cThe Movement Revisited: A Musical Portrait of Four Icons.\u201d The 45-minute concert is set to feature students from the Juilliard School and a poetry reading by Sonia Sanchez. The concert will conclude with a conversation between McBride and Sanchez moderated by museum associate director of curatorial affairs Dwandalyn Reece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 p.m. Jan. 18. Free. s.si.edu\/3nfoT9v<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MLK Unity Group Creating Beloved Community Presents: 40th Annual Virtual Celebration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A live-streamed event with the theme of \u201cRestoration, Reconciliation and Resilience!\u201d is scheduled to feature keynote speaker the Rev. Loretta Dickerson-Smith, with musical selections, interviews, dance and performance art from Hue Vision Productions, as well as a dedication to the memory of late civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 p.m. Jan. 18. Free, donations encouraged.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A waterfall and a wall inscribed with quotations from Martin Luther King Jr. are part of a memorial to him at Yerba Buena Gardens.Photo: Darryl Bush \/ The Chronicle 2006<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

National Day of Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris\u2019 inaugural committee is encouraging the public to organize or participate in community volunteering efforts during the holiday as a kickoff for events during the week of Inauguration Day, on Wednesday, Jan. 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jan. 18. Free. bideninaugural.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oakland Symphony Chorus virtual performance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy an archived performance of the Oakland Symphony\u2019s \u201cMass for Freedom\u201d by Michael T. Roberts, recorded live from Oakland\u2019s First Congregational Church in April 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available to stream on demand. Free. 510-444-0801. oaklandsymphony.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MLK Day 2021: Black Voices and Leadership community panel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A panel presentation moderated by Tsahai Tafari. Scheduled speakers include Rafiki Coalition<\/a>\u2019s Monique LeSarre, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights<\/a>\u2019 Zach Norris, Eli Berry-St. John and Ky Peterson from the Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice Project<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noon. Jan. 19. Free, reservations requested. 415-502-1911.<\/p>\n\n\n\n