Big Sean, Judge Mathis to help Detroit honor Martin Luther King: A list of MLK Day events

Numerous commemorative events and community service initiatives are scheduled throughout metro Detroit on Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The King Holiday and Service Act was signed in 1994 making it the only federal holiday designated by Congress as a National Day of Service, encouraging Americans to volunteer time to contribute to their communities.

The region will host unity walks, distinguished speakers, service projects, giveaways and entertainment to pay tribute to the legacy of the civil rights icon. While most events are scheduled for Monday, a few will extend into the week.

Here’s a look at some MLK Day events.

To add your event to the list, email Brendel Hightower at bhightower@freepress.com.

Let Freedom Ring

This gathering hosted by Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a free, public event that will honor rapper Big Sean, Judge Greg Mathis, Bishop J. Drew Sheard, L!FE President Amy Nederlander and ACCESS CEO Maha Freij, with special tributes to the late Harry Belafonte and Rev. Charles Adams. 5 p.m. Monday at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. Free tickets are available at 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com.

MLK Day at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

The theme of this year’s museum celebration is “Living the Dream: It Starts with Me!” The day will begin with an annual prayer breakfast (ticket required) at 8 a.m. The museum will be open to the public at 9 a.m. for educational programs and family-friendly activities that will include a film screening and talkback featuring "Selma," a virtual reality experience, scavenger hunt and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at The Wright, 315 East Warren in Detroit. $15 for adults; 17 years old and younger admitted free. More: thewright.org.

Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration

Loni Love, a two-time Emmy, two-time NAACP Image and three-time Gracie Award-winning host, comedian, actress, author and philanthropist will be the keynote speaker at this event scheduled for 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. Monday at Oakland University, Oakland Center in the Founders Ballrooms, 312 Meadow Brook in Rochester. Open to the public. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. More at oakland.edu/cmi/KOD/.

39th Annual Southfield MLK Peace Walk Celebration

The theme is “Peace and Justice for the Next Generation.” The walk will depart at 9 a.m. Monday from Hope United Methodist Church at 26275 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, ending at the Southfield Pavilion at 26000 Evergreen Road, where there will be an 11 a.m. program and a Taste Fest immediately following the program. More information at mlktaskforcemi.org.

United We Walk – West Bloomfield

The theme is “The King in Me: We Walk in Unity, Equality and Community” for this event that will take place 1-3 p.m. Sunday by The United We Walk Committee at Bloomfield High School, 6000 Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield. There will be a keynote speaker, student participation and a community walk that will begin immediately afterward along Orchard Lake Road. More at wbsd.org/community/united-we-walk.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

This annual breakfast event by the Macomb County Ministerial Alliance will include a performance by liturgical dancer Tamilca McCombs and flautist Deblon Jackson, along with a keynote address by Bishop Edgar Vann, 9 a.m. Monday at Penna’s of Sterling Heights, 38400 Van Dyke in Sterling Heights. $50. More at the Macomb County Ministerial Alliance's Facebook page.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Henry Ford

There will be three days of new programs, performances and living history demonstrations, plus special tours and screening in Giant Screen Experience, Saturday-Monday. The celebration coincides with the final weekend of Mandela: The Official Exhibition. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday. Free admission and parking for MLK Day. More at thehenryford.org.

Fueling Detroit: MLK Day of Service – Wayne State University

This 13th annual event presented by Wayne State University’s AmeriCorps Urban Safety program and Marathon Petroleum have health and wellness activities planned 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday. Activities will include food distribution, a hat and glove giveaway, a wheel lock/club giveaway and more at Kemeny Recreation, 2260 S. Fort in Detroit. Free. More at mlkserviceday2024.splashthat.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration - EMU

Join members of the university and local community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday-Friday at Eastern Michigan University. There will be panel discussions, performances, a keynote address by Judge Victoria Pratt, chief judge of Newark Municipal Court in Newark, New Jersey, and more. More at emich.edu/mlk.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MLK Day in Detroit: A list of commemorative and educational events