For the last two years, one of the biggest celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life has taken place at Harlem’s Riverside Church. MLK Now, organized by Blackout for Human Rights, is a star-studded tribute to King’s legacy and life. And this year, The Root has the honor of being the official media partner of the event.
The third annual MLK Now will take place on Monday, Jan. 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), 2-6 p.m., at Riverside Church (490 Riverside Drive in New York). The event is hosted in partnership with the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, Color of Change, PICO National Network and The Root. This year’s MLK Now 2018 will feature Oscar winner and Black Panther star Lupita Nyong’o, Grammy-winning hip-hop MC-lyricist Black Thought of the Roots and A Wrinkle in Time star Storm Reid, with comedian and author Baratunde Thurston returning this year as event MC. Additional performers for MLK Now 2018 will be announced later this week.
In addition to a roster of notable speakers, the event will include a panel discussion focusing on social and political issues. Previous panelists have included Women’s March co-chair Linda Sarsour, journalists Jamilah Lemieux and Trymaine Lee, and Million Hoodies Executive Director Dante Barry.
Take a look at a couple of highlights from last year’s event:
Free tickets for MLK Now 2018 are available at this website.