11 Events and Activities in the Detroit Region to Honor Civil Rights Activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day
January 12, 2022United We Walk – West Bloomfield
Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 | 1-3 p.m. | In Person
Join West Bloomfield United We Walk for its 28th annual event celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With the theme of “Dream, Believe, Do,” the free walk will begin at West Bloomfield High School. Learn more.
MLK Day at The Wright
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 9 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. | Virtual and In Person
Explore the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The event will include a virtual keynote speech at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Andrew Young, a former United Nations Ambassador and civil rights activist. It will also feature an in-person documentary screening of Andrew Young at noon. Registration and a COVID-19 test are required for the in-person portion of the event. Find more information here.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | In Person
Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders for free at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. View the Rosa Parks Bus and listen to the story of her brave act. Engage with the interactive Minds of Freedom program that highlights the contributions of Dr. King, Mrs. Parks, and other civil rights champions. Explore the challenging evolution of American freedom in the With Liberty and Justice for All exhibit. Registration is not required, but capacity will be limited. Learn more.
U-M 2022 MLK Memorial Keynote Lecture: This Is America
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 10-11:30 a.m. | In Person with livestream available
Join the University of Michigan’s Office of Multicultural Initiatives at Hill Auditorium for its 2022 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium keynote speech. Moderated by Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns, the keynote will be provided by Rashad Richey, university professor, Emmy-nominated broadcaster, and political analyst, and Maria de Lourdes Hinojosa, anchor and executive producer of Latino USA on National Public Radio. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. All attendees will need to complete the University of Michigan’s COVID-19 symptom check tool before entering the auditorium, and masks are required. For those unable to attend in person, the speech will be livestreamed here. Learn more.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual Health Equity Symposium
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Virtual
Join Trinity Health for a virtual symposium honoring the life, legacy, and work of Dr. King. The symposium will feature keynote speaker Roslyn Brock, chief global equity officer at Abt Associates, as well as an expert panel that will discuss the importance of disrupting systems that create health inequities and call leaders to action, both personally and professionally. Learn more.
19th Annual Detroit MLK Day Virtual Rally and March
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Virtual
In commemoration of the 93rd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., join the MLK Detroit Committee for a virtual rally and march for jobs, peace, and justice while protecting water, climate, and communities. The rally will be held over Zoom and accessible live on YouTube and Facebook. Registration is required. Learn more.
You Can Keep the Mule: Let’s Explore Reparations Models
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 12:30-2 p.m. | Virtual
Join the University of Michigan Detroit Center for a panel discussion on reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans. The panel will explore the varying concepts of what is owned and what reparations might look like. It will also discuss the Crafting Democratic Futures project, which aims to tackle the complex histories surrounding race by working with colleges and universities around the country to develop suggestions for research, community, and racial reparations solutions. Registration is required.
2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration and Driver for Freedom, Justice, and Equity
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. | Virtual and In Person
Join the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force for the 37th annual MLK Day Celebration and Drive for Freedom, Justice, and Equity. With the theme of “Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding leads to Freedom, Justice, and Equity,” the commemorative program will begin at 10 a.m. with the drive (registration for the drive is now closed). The virtual program will start at 1 p.m., and registration is not required. Learn more.
King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 1 p.m. | In Person
Join the Detroit Institute of Arts on Monday, Jan. 17, at the Detroit Film Theatre to view one of the most well-known documentaries depicting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights activism. Assembled from archived footage, the documentary follows Dr. King from 1955 to 1968, as he rose from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the civil rights movement. Admission to this screening is free. All attendees must provide proof of full vaccination. Learn more and register here.
Honoring the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.: MLK and The Lighthouse Effect
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 2-3 p.m. | Virtual
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an opportunity to look inward and ask ourselves what we can do to bring about a more equal world and what tangible actions we can take to ensure that all voices are heard – and valued, according to Steve Pemberton, bestselling author and business leader. Hear more from Pemberton during his inspirational presentation on Monday, Jan. 17, from 2-3:10 p.m., during one of the many events hosted as part of the University of Michigan’s Office of Multicultural Initiatives’ Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium. Find more information and registration details here.
MLK Day Conversation with Critical Race Theory Artist, Jonathan Harris
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 | 3-6 p.m. | In Person
Irwin House Gallery, Chene Parc, and the City of Detroit Office of Arts, Culture, and Entrepreneurship for a conversation with Detroit artist, Jonathan Harris, about his artistic practice, rapidly evolving journey in the arts, and now famous, Critical Race Theory painting. A reception will follow the conversation from 5-6 p.m. While the free event will be held in person at Chene Park in the First National Building, the event will be livestreamed on Detroit A&E, City Channel 22 in Detroit, YouTube, and the Detroit Ace Facebook page. Masks are required. Space is limited, so registering online is recommended. Learn more.