Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, Jan. 20 — we’re remembering his presence in the City of Oaks and highlighting what you can do to honor his life and legacy.
How is King connected to NC + the Triangle?
- King’s first visit to Raleigh was in April 1960 to support the Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee at Shaw University.
- The NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources found evidence that King delivered an early version of the famous “I Have A Dream” speech at a school gymnasium in Rocky Mount (~55 mins from Raleigh) on Nov. 27, 1962.
- King spoke to an integrated audience of ~5,000 at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh on July 31, 1966. Read about his visit here.
Does the city have a dedication to Dr. King?
- Yes — Raleigh is home to the first public park in the US solely devoted to King and the civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens is located at 1215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Did you know: The park houses a life-size sculpture of King + more civil rights-centric public art.
What can I do to celebrate?
- MLK Dreamfest: Walk For Hope 5K | Monday, Jan. 20 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Mt. Zion Church, 316 Allen Lewis Dr., Cary | Free | Bring donations like non-perishable food items, laundry detergent + paper towels and walk to support Dorcas Ministries.
- 45th Annual Martin Luther King Memorial March | Monday, Jan. 20 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | State Capitol Building, Edenton Street Side, Raleigh | Free | This march will begin at the State Capitol Building and invites the community to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
- John Chavis Memorial Park Presents King Day Celebration | Monday, Jan. 20 | 12-3 p.m. | John Chavis Memorial Park | Free | Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a clean-up event, educational presentations, activities for kids, and a birthday celebration for Dr. King.
Know of any other events or interesting facts surrounding MLK in the Triangle? Share them with us.
