Celebrating the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
There are many programs planned for this weekend in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I encourage everyone to take some time to remember the life and legacy of one of our greatest Civil Rights leaders. Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. His holiday will be observed on Monday, January 20, 2025— the same day that the inauguration of Donald J. Trump will take place. It will be interesting to see what unfolds on this day, but I hope that people will still take a moment to reflect on Dr. King’s monumental contributions to our society.
Here in Buffalo, several events are scheduled to take place to honor his memory.
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will be held at Kleinhans Music Hall on Sunday, January 19, 2025, the day before the national holiday. The well-known gospel singer Bessie Patterson is the program coordinator. The event will feature speakers, music, dancers, and other great entertainment. The African Cultural Center drummers and dancers will perform, and eleven individuals will be honored for their contributions to our city and community. Elder Clifford Bell, who started this observance many years ago in the spirit of Dr. King, will be the keynote speaker.
The program is sponsored each year by local businesses and leaders from across the city. Admission is free, and there is also free parking available. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to support the vendors. Mrs. Patterson encourages everyone to come out and remember Dr. King’s contributions. Bring the entire family! The program will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and a freewill offering will be collected after the program. Two of my favorite quotes from Dr. King include:
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“We may have come in different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” I encourage you to look up more of Dr. King’s quotes and explore the six books he wrote. His words are timeless and remain as relevant today as ever.