There are many events taking place throughout our area to remember and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The Social Justice Committee has compiled a list of some of the events taking place this weekend and on Monday.
St Louis County Library
Thursday, January 16, 2025 5:30 p.m.
Natural Bridge Branch7606 Natural Bridge Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63121-4905
Join us for a film and QA session as we commemorate Dr. King's birthday and honor the important role Coretta Scott King played in his life and the fight for civil rights. All ages.
History Museum
MLK Community Celebration
Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
African American History Programs
Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the holiday weekend. Families are invited to join us for youth activism workshops, meaningful conversations on race and social justice, storytelling, movement, and craft workshops.
Timed Events For Friday, January 17 & Saturday, January 18
History Exploration Days: Solidarity STL | 10am–1pm
Solidarity means standing together! As part of our MLK Community Celebration, learn about activists who fought to make a difference in our communities, the issues that mattered to them, and the many ways their ideas intersected. Join us for an interactive and engaging Youth Activism Workshop for children and teens, advocacy-inspired crafts, mutual aid service projects, activities with community partners and more!
Timed Events For Monday, January 20
Drop-In Make-and-Takes | 10am–4pm | Grand Hall | All Ages
Show your solidarity by designing an article of clothing that shows who and what you care about! Also, think about how your identity fits with others by creating a paper tile to add to our community mosaic.
Step into Story: Activism | 10:30am–11:00am | Lee Auditorium | All Ages
Participate in a large-scale story time with music and children’s books. We’ll explore the meanings of activism and protest, ending with a poignant reading of the “I Have a Dream” speech. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided by DEAF Inc.
Cathedral Basilica of St Louis
Sunday, January 19, 2025 - 2:30pm
Annual Peace and Justice Mass
49th Annual Celebration commemorating the birth and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Join us for the 49th annual celebration of the Archdiocesan Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice on the holiday weekend commemorating the birth and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Most Reverend Mitchell Rozanski, celebrant
St Louis Art Museum
2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Selections from Selma the Musical: The Untold Stories
Sunday, January 19, 2025 | 2–3:30 pm | Free
A historical-fiction, musical theater presentation by Infecting Change Theatre Company will be performed in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. After the performance, there will be a conversation and Q&A with playwright J.P. Haynes, cast members, and political strategist and organizer Jamala Rogers. The discussion will be moderated by Kathryn Bentley, the program’s creative director.
Written by playwright and producer J.P. Haynes, Selma the Musical: The Untold
Stories chronicles the story of Selma, Alabama, and the citizens of this unassuming town as they prepare for what is arguably the greatest endeavor of the Civil Rights Movement. The score features original music written by Haynes and her musical team, from the rich genres foundational to Black culture, such as gospel, jazz, and hip-hop.
The Farrell Auditorium
One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110-1380
Tickets for this free program may be reserved in person at the Museum’s welcome desks or through Metro Tix. All tickets reserved through Metro Tix incur a service charge; the service charge is waived for tickets reserved at the Museum.
University of Missouri—St Louis
2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance
Monday, January 20, 11:00 AM.
Free and open to the public, The University of Missouri-St. Louis annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance in 2025 features keynote Fredricka Newton and performances by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Sheldon’s All-Star chorus and the UMSL Voices of Jubilee choir in the Touhill Performing Arts Center. This year’s theme is the “Beloved Community,”- a place where all can thrive. Fredricka Newton, activist and founder/CEO of the Huey P. Newton Foundation, will be delivering keynote address. Performances by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Sheldon's All-Star chorus and the UMSL Voices of Jubilee choir - both under the direction of Maria A. Ellis.
Open seating. Free event.
Washington University
Monday, January 20, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Graham Chapel on the Washington University Danforth Campus.
The 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration honors the legacy of Dr. King and the impact he has made on those who carry the torch for humanity. The theme of the Commemoration is “Responsibility” and is based on the quote: “Ultimately individual responsibility lies not in the external situation but in the internal response.”
The Commemoration will also occur on Livestream and is available here for those unable to attend in person. The event is free and open to the public.
Harvey Fields, PhD, founding Dean and Assistant Professor of Chemistry, College of STEM at Harris Stowe State University, will provide the keynote address.
Other speakers will include Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, PhD; Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, PhD,Senior Assistant Dean of Advising, College of Arts & Sciences and Lecturer in the African and African-American Studies Department; and the Reverend Callista Isabelle, Director for Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life.
The commemoration will also include presentations of the “Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Service Award” and the “Rosa L. Parks Award for Meritorious Service to the Community.”
There will be student performances by Black Anthology, the Unending Praise Gospel Acapella Choir, and the Washington University Concert Choir. Hussein Amuri, President of the Student Union (SU) and Spencer Snipe, Vice President of the Association of Black Students (ABS) will be co-hosts.
The event is free and open to the public. Donations of canned goods and hygiene items will be accepted. A reception in Danforth University Center (DUC), Tisch Commons will follow the commemoration program.
Southern Mission Baptist Church
Interfaith Service and Moral Mass Meeting
Register to attend online or in-person at https://www.ucc.org/interfaith-service-and-moral-mass-meeting/.
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