As the city prepares to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., many community organizations are hosting events to commemorate the day. While some events are unable to be held in person due to social distancing efforts, organizers are looking to bring a sense of pride and community as they honor the prominent Civil Rights Movement leader.
The Umoja Fina Arts Gallery is hosting an art exhibit celebrating the life of Dr. King and today’s social justice movement. Established in 1996, the art gallery is paying tribute to Dr. King through a series of works by artists Priscilla Phifer and Marcel Stewart.
Entitled “Black Lines Matter: Atatiana,” the 24”x36” acrylic portrait by Phifer depicts Atatiana Jefferson, a 28-year-old Miami, FL, resident who was shot and killed in her home by police in 2019.
“She was just one of many women who’ve been killed by the hands of police,” Phifer says. “She represents a lot of other women.”
A part of a nine-part series that features George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the abstract artist uses lines to depict people and bring visual interpretation to the forefront.
“We know that art imitates life. Artists have a responsibility to depict change and not just for Black people, but for all people,” Phifer shares. “King galvanized the movement by making change through nonviolence and being persistent.”
Stewart’s portrait, a 36”x48” acrylic on canvas, pulls inspiration from numerous quotes from Dr. King. The work entitled “Still Uncivil” links Dr. King’s legacy with today’s social injustice.
“This specific piece is the second of an ongoing piece called Modern Day America,” Stewart says.
Using art as a political statement and a means for activism, artist works are charged with emotion and often reflect current and historical events. For Black artists, shedding light on decades of oppression through various art forms allows for expression of political and social beliefs.
“I believe the expression of art and activism are tied directly together,” Stewart says. “We put those things out to bring awareness to issues we see at the surface.”
The event will be January 18 with the unveiling beginning promptly at 1 p.m. Open to the public, registration for the event is required as social distancing efforts will be in place. Eight guests will be permitted each half hour and masks are mandatory for entry.
The University of Michigan’s Dearborn campus is holding a week of events to allow students and the community to learn more about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Beginning January 18 through January 22, students, faculty and the community will be able to take part in a series of events highlighting the legend while providing aid to community organizations in their continued fight for equality.
In addition to its week of events, the university will also celebrate its 28th year of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Day of Service. The day will feature virtual service opportunities including knitting hats and scarves for the homeless and live virtual book readings. Registration for the day of service is open. Participants are encouraged to register early through the university’s website.
A local church is also looking to educate the community on the accomplishments of Dr. King while also honoring current social justice efforts. Hope United Methodist Church will host a mobile parade. The Driving for Justice Parade, presented by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force, will take place on January 18. Led by the theme Justice Now, the event will also feature a virtual peace walk in conjunction with the parade.
Participants are asked to register as the event is open to the first 250 cars to sign up. Members are asked to stay in their cars during the parade as the caravan makes its way from the church grounds to the Southfield Pavilion on Evergreen Rd. Signs, banners and car decorations are highly recommended.
The parade is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. while the virtual peace walk is set for noon.
To commemorate more than 900 streets across the nation named after Dr. King, the Detroit Historical Society’s Black Historic Sites Committee and the Detroit Historical Museum is hosting a virtual event that will take a dive deep into how race and geography were an instrumental component in naming streets after the visionary; and if those streets have measured up to King’s dream.
The event is free and will also feature a sneak peek of the 15-minute short film, King Blvd. Guests will have the opportunity to listen in on a panel discussion with the film’s writer and producer, Earl Hardy, and a local historian, educator and founder of The Black Scroll Network, History & Tours, Jamon Jordan. The panel will also include commentary from Dr. Derek Alderman who has written about streets named after MLK since the early 1990’s.
Guests are encouraged to register for the event taking place on January 18 at 1:00 p.m.
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is also joining the ranks of hosting virtual events to honor Dr. King’s memory. The showcase will feature presentations from various civil rights activists, Teen Hype, a local youth group focused on developing the city’s young people, and the Detroit Police Athletic League. There will also be a gospel performance from Ebenezer Missionary Church.
Together with Eastern Michigan University, the Wright Museum will also feature a keynote message from Yamiche Alcindor, PBS NewsHour White House Correspondent. The theme for the message, “Let the People Speak: No Justice No Peace,” is virtually open to the public and is set to take place January 18 at 1:00 p.m.
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