North Raleigh Today

In honor of MLK Day, various events are scheduled to take place in Raleigh and neighboring towns and cities to commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. These events, which are not City-owned, are organized by different groups and organizations. Here is a curated list of the upcoming MLK Day celebrations:

The Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Kickoff Event will host its 44th Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony on Friday, January 12 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens in Raleigh. Reverend Dr. Mark Harden, Dean of Shaw University Divinity School, will deliver the keynote address at this event organized by the Raleigh Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

On Saturday, January 13, the National Day of Racial Healing will be commemorated at First Baptist Church in Raleigh. The event is sponsored by the YMCA of the Triangle and organized by The Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee and The Encouraging Place.

Also on January 13, the MLK Unity March, Prayer Rally & Youth Summit will take place in Apex. The march will begin at Apex First Baptist Church and end at the Apex Town Hall, followed by a youth summit at the Apex Senior Center.

The NC Museum of Art in Raleigh will screen the film "MLK/FBI" on Saturday, January 13. This documentary explores the surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King, Jr. by the FBI during the civil rights movement.

Durham will host "MLK: Celebrating the Legacy Through the Arts" at the W.D. Hill Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon, January 13. The event will showcase various artistic expressions that celebrate MLK's legacy.

Cary will hold the "2024 Dreamfest Celebration: It Takes a Village to Realize a Dream" at the Cary Arts Center on Saturday evening, January 13. This event aims to bring the community together to honor MLK's dream.

On Sunday, January 14, Apex First Baptist Church will host a Social Justice Sunday service. This event will focus on the importance of social justice in line with MLK's teachings.

The MLK Dreamfest Interfaith Service titled "A Call to Conscience" will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary on Sunday afternoon, January 14.

Cary First United Methodist Church will organize the "It Takes a Village: Community Meal & Discussion" on Sunday evening, January 14. The event aims to foster community dialogue and unity.

On Monday, January 15, the 44th Annual Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast will be held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham. Reverend Canon Sandye A. Wilson will deliver the keynote address at this event.

The 20th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration will take place in Fuquay-Varina on Monday morning, January 15. The march will start at Falcon Park and end at the First Baptist Church of Fuquay-Varina, where a program will be held. Dr. Gloria McEwen Burgess, DS Will (spoken word artist), and Kimberly Michelle (violinist) will be among the featured speakers and performers.

Other events on MLK Day include the 5K Walk for Hope at Mt. Zion Church in Cary, MLK Day of Service at Good Hope Farm and Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve in Cary, the 44th Annual Martin Luther King Memorial March in downtown Raleigh, MLK Day of Service with United Way of the Greater Triangle at the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County’s Teen Center in Raleigh, and the Dream Big MLK Day Book Drive Celebration at Golden Belt Campus in Durham.

Finally, on Thursday, January 18, the NC Museum of Art will host a lecture and discussion titled "When MLK and the KKK Met in Raleigh." Dr. W. Jason Miller will deliver the lecture, and Dr. Everett B. Ward will moderate the discussion.

These events offer opportunities for the community to come together and reflect on the teachings and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. They serve as reminders of the ongoing work towards equality and justice for all.

To learn more, click on this link: https://raleighnc.gov/equity-services-and-resources/news/mlk-day-celebrations