News and Local Coverage of the MLK Holiday Celebration

2021

In the place of a traditional commemorative program held in Heritage Hall, the Committee partnered with Lexington born film maker, Joan Brannon to create the documentary, Fire and Heart: A Blueprint for Liberation. The documentary examines racial justice and healing discourse for Black people in Kentucky and includes clips from past MLK Lexington celebrations. It invites the voices of activists and community members currently involved in the movement to share their experiences with direct action, protest, and to discuss the need for healing from racial trauma within the Black community. Featured storytellers are: Jecorey Arthur, Hannah Drake, Chester Grundy, Ann Beard Grundy, Keturah Herron, LeTonia Jones, Sadiqa Reynolds, and Sarah Williams. Additional creators of the film include, LaShelle Allen (music) and Nzingha-Beverley Sweeney-Sheppard (visual art).

Official Film Trailer: https://bit.ly/35OZA8g
To watch the documentary, visit: https://bit.ly/2KrO6QT

2020

On January 20, 2020 the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Program Committee celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hosting our traditional Freedom March and the commemorative holiday program. This powerhouse celebration featured a keynote address entitled "The Fierce Urgency of NOW!" by Reverend Delman L. Coates, PhD, Senior Pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD, and musical performance by the brilliant singer/composer DONNIE with his sextet of musicians featuring our own Rae'Shawna Campbell, Cole Campbell, Courtney Campbell, Kenneth Payne, Christopher Phillips, and Shon Willis. Following the program, there was a free showing of The Green Book at the Kentucky.

To view a recording of this event, visit: https://youtu.be/34HyHgzkDvQ .

2019

2018

Celebrations around Kentucky honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Celebrations-across-Lexington-to-honor...

MLK Day Celebration to Feature Anti-racism Writer, Educator Tim Wise
https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/mlk-day-celebration-feature-anti-racis...

2017

MLK Holiday Celebration Features Rev. Otis Moss III, Annual March Jan. 16
https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-happenings/mlk-holiday-celebration-features-rev...

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events
http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article126631...

Snapped: MLK Day Freedom March
http://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/article1269501...

2016

Danny Glover to Speak at City's King Celebration
http://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/danny-glover-speak-citys-king-celebration

Danny Glover says his Lexington speech will frame King’s legacy amid today’s issues
http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/tom-eblen/article55066470.html