There’s a lot of hate, ignorance, and stupidity floating around these days, which makes this day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all the more needed. Looking for something productive to do today, Milwaukee? Here are nine ways to celebrate the life and legacy of a man who stood for anything but hate, ignorance, and stupidity.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration 2019 @ Martin Luther King Library (310 W. Locust St.)
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
A full day of programming kicks off at 9 a.m. with a host of family-friendly activities, followed at noon by music, dance, and much, much more. If you attend only one Martin Luther King Jr. Day event, make it this one. Here’s the itinerary:
MLK Day: Family Morning of Service @ Bay View Community Center (1320 E. Oklahoma Ave.)
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Participants at this family- and toddler-friendly event will bring in and sort supplies (sealed toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues, etc.) and put them together in care packages for those in need. Stories and discussion of Dr. King will follow, and lunch will be provided. Advance registration is required via email, however, at [email protected]. (Please list the names of all participants, including the names and ages of any children.)
Keeping the Dream Alive @ Oriental Theatre (2230 N. Farwell Ave.)
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Youths ages 14-18 are invited to the Oriental for a screening and discussion of Personal Statement, a film by Juliane Dressner which “follows three Brooklyn teens who want to be the first generation in their families to go to college. Working as peer college counselors in their schools, they reach towards their own college dreams and fight for the right to a better future, for themselves and for their classmates.”
Allied in the Fight: Lunch and Learn with Curator Molly Dubin @ Jewish Museum Milwaukee (1360 N. Prospect Ave.)
11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Jewish Museum Milwaukee Curator Molly Dubin will speak on the museum’s spring 2018 exhibit, “Allied in the Fight: Jews, Blacks And The Struggle For Civil Rights.” Per the museum, “the exhibit recounted the efforts made by Jewish and African American leaders, organizations, and community members in fighting for fundamental human rights before and during the Civil Rights era. They joined together in pursuit of equality and in combating prejudice and discrimination. Despite the relationship’s complexities, African American and Jewish communities became allied against injustice.” Coffee will be proved at this free event. RSVP here.
Back to the Vision of King @ Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center (1531 W. Vliet St.)
noon-2 p.m.
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, Milwaukee County Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., Milwaukee County Parks Director Guy Smith, King Center Manager Dee McCollum, and other speakers will be on hand for spoken word and musical and arts performances. Light refreshments will be served following this free program.
M. L. King Day Justice Program and March @ St. Francis of Assisi Church (1927 N. Vel Phillips Ave.)
1-4:30 p.m.
For its 18th annual event, the Dr. Martin Luther King Justice Coalition will honor community members who have “gone to jail for justice” in the nonviolent spirit of Dr. King. A three-block walk to Dr. King’s statue will follow at 2:30 p.m., complete with an open mic.
The Blood Is At The Doorstep Film and Discussion @ Waukesha Civic Theatre (264 W. Main St.)
6:30 p.m.
Adults and teens are invited to this free screening of The Blood Is At The Doorstep, the Milwaukee-made documentary that delves into the 2014 police shooting of Dontre Hamilton. Maria and Nate Hamilton, as well as Nurturing Diversity’s Reggie Jackson, will be on hand for a post-film discussion.
Neighbors of the Dream @ Eastbrook Church (5353 N. Green Bay Ave.)
6:30-8 p.m.
Milwaukee Declaration hosts this “city-wide event to stand against racial divides.”
Youth Free Day @ Milwaukee museums
Milwaukee Museum Week kicks off with Youth Free Day at 15 participating Milwaukee museums. Here they are (*notes a museum that is free to kids and adults):
Betty Brinn Museum
Brew City MKE Beer Museum*
Charles Allis Art Museum*
Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear*
Discovery World
Grohmann Museum at MSOE*
Harley-Davidson Museum
Jewish Museum Milwaukee*
Milwaukee County Historical Society*
Milwaukee Public Museum
Mitchell Park Domes
North Point Lighthouse
The Pabst Mansion*
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum*
Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum*