Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates and celebrates one of the most formidable Civil Rights leaders in history. During his fight for racial equity, King promoted non violent means to ending racial segregation and led a nationwide movement of peaceful protests that eventually succeeded. On MLK Day, organizations throughout Boulder, Colorado will host multiple events honoring and celebrating Dr. King’s life. Here’s what we know:
Haula Dancing Celebration
When: 1/14, 1 – 4pm
Where: Meadows Branch Library
Haula is a nonprofit organization that works with Sudanese communities to create healthier classroom learning environments by contributing school and sports supplies. This MLK occasion, it hosts an event featuring Sudanese church choirs, traditional dancing, and more.
Boulder County Community Celebration
When: 1/15, 4pm
Where: The Jewish Community Center
This county-wide event is packed with events, including a speech by Dr. Reiland Rabaka, Founder & Director of The Center for African & African-American Studies at CU Boulder. It will feature traditional African and African-American dance performances facilitated by Nii Armah Sowah, Associate Teaching Professor & Co-Director of Graduate Studies in Dance. Experience our community coming together at this 18th annual celebration of Dr. King.
Youth Art Workshop
When: 1/16, 10am
Where: Silver Creek High School
Part two of the Boulder County Community Celebration involves a youth art workshop hosted at Silver Creek High School. Minimal details are available at this time, but crafts will focus on the celebration’s theme “The Dream…Keep Hope at The Center.”
Dr. King Jr. and the Radical Roots at the Heart of Justice
When: 1/16, 2pm
Where: Motus Theater
This family-friend event looks at Dr. King’s understanding of poverty and racism. The live performance will feature speakers, dancers, and singers from around the world who seek to inspire guests to realign their lives with King’s mission of ending racism and crusading for justice.
Undoing the Noble Crusade Documentary Screening
When: 1/16, 7pm
Where: The Dairy Arts Center
This documentary focuses on how settler colonialism and the genocide of Native American peoples was an influence for Dr. King and for the founding of the Native American Rights Fund. Undoing the Noble Crusade is based on a book by King called “Why We Can’t Wait”. Take the time to experience a different perspective of King’s life.
There are numerous events around the county that invite guests to learn more about Dr. King, celebrate his accomplishments, and recommit to eradicating racism, injustice, and inequity in our communities and abroad. I hope you have the opportunity to take in a few of them.