Parades, block party, town hall and more set for Brevard MLK weekend

J.D. Gallop, Florida Today
·4 min read
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For David Jones, the lofty visions of dignity and diversity offered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. long ago sparked a personal mission of actively affecting social change through dialogue.

On Monday, the holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader, Jones and several other up-and-coming community leaders will share their insights into how to make that change through a town hall in Melbourne. It will be one of at least nine public events held in Brevard County to recall King's life and legacy.

“It’s been easy to focus on Dr. King’s famous 'I Have a Dream,’ speech but this conversation will allow us to get to the real message and gives us a chance to talk about what (King) spoke about, the things you won’t hear taught in school,” said Jones, 42, the CEO of Diversity of Thought, Inc., an organization that coaches on inclusion, equity and diversity.

The event is one of several — from a march in Cocoa to a breakfast in Palm Bay and a kickbox matchup — taking place over the three-day holiday weekend and beyond as schools and businesses close to honor King nationwide. Over the last two years, COVID limited interaction but this year is different for organizers, as celebrants return to attend parades and other expanded special events.

King, 39, who led marches across the nation and rallied against segregation, was assassinated April 4, 1968, during a visit to support garbage strikers in Memphis. The federal holiday was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.

Speakers for the public event in Melbourne were asked to read King’s 1964 book on social justice and the non-violent movement to desegregate public spaces, "Why We Can't Wait." The book also addresses evangelical Christians, many of whom historians point out were slow to address the civil rights movement’s concerns. The town hall will feature Jones, organizer and community advocate Marcus Smith; Dr. Synthia Doaks, CEO of My Two Synts, LLC; and Shayla Murray, CEO of The Virtual Glue.

In this file photo, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. makes his last public appearance at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968. The following day King was assassinated on his motel balcony.
In this file photo, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. makes his last public appearance at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968. The following day King was assassinated on his motel balcony.

King Day-related events taking place on the Space Coast between Jan. 14 and Jan. 19:

  • The 18th annual MLK Memorial Breakfast Program and Breakfast. Sponsored by the Brevard Caribbean American Sports & Cultural Association, the event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Hall, 300 Malabar Rd. in Palm Bay. A $40 donation is requested.

  • The MLK Weekend "Fight For Freedom" boxing, MMA and kickboxing event, sponsored by Imperial XL Promotions. The caged combat matches take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Space Coast Convention Center, 301 Tucker Lane, Cocoa. Tickets start at $40.

  • The 2023 King Holiday Observance, sponsored by the Central Brevard Ministerial Coalition, starts at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Keynote speaker is the Rev. Melvin Kennerly, pastor of Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church in Cocoa.

  • Service centered on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. offered by The Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard. Speaker is the Rev. Paul Johnson. The event begins at 11 a.m. Sunday at the church, 2185 Meadowlane Ave., West Melbourne.

  • The MLK Day Celebration Town Hall, organized by community advocate Marcus Smith. Featured: a dialogue with Jordin Chandler, a government consultant, residents and others. Event starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Piper-Gardner American Legion Post 191, 2422 Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne.

  • The annual "Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace March and Program" starts at 2 p.m. Monday in Cocoa. The march will leave Provost Park at 2 p.m. and walk to the Cocoa Riverfront Park and amphitheater. The public is invited to participate. A program will follow at the amphitheater.

  • MLK Come Together Block Party program, set for Monday and sponsored by Boyz 2 Men With Purpose. Free; will feature food, giveaways, bounce houses, and a live DJ, speakers, skits, and special appearances by Titusville’s mayor and others. Hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of DeLeon Avenue and Gilbert Street in Titusville.

  • Celebration of the legacy of Dr. King, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at the Joseph N. Davis Community Center, 2547 Grant St., Melbourne. Free, with entertainment and activities.

  • The Florida Institute of Technology's annual MLK Commemoration from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Gleason Performing Arts Center on campus. Free, with registration requested. The school will honor Alberta Wilson, president of the Cocoa Rockledge Civic League and former president of the Central Brevard Branch of the NAACP. Also honored will be Jennifer East, director of the "Moving History" documentary detailing the history and restoration of the first Black church in Crane Creek. Keynote speaker: Gaye Montgomery, daughter of Florida Tech’s first Black student, Dr. Julius Montgomery.

A recent parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Titusville.
A recent parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Titusville.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: MLK Day 2023: Space Coast events will honor Martin Luther King Jr.