Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be remembered with a number of events throughout the coming weekend and through Monday, Jan. 15, his birthday and a national holiday.
The Baptist minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner who championed civil rights and justice through non-violent means would have turned 89 on Jan. 15th. His life was cut short on April 4, 1968 at age 39.
Here are some of the major events being held across South Florida this weekend to honor Dr. King:
Friday, Jan. 12th
The free Homestead Annual Breakfast Celebration will celebrate Dr. King at the Phichol Williams Community Center, 951 SW Fourth St., Homestead with a keynote address by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Fred Seraphin, who made Miami-Dade history in 2001 by becoming the county’s first Haitian-American judge. See cityofhomestead.com/mlk for more information.
A free Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Concert featuring four-time Grammy-nominated musician Shelly Berg, dean of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and an acclaimed jazz pianist, is set for 7 p.m. at the Coral Gables United Church of Christ, 3010 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables.
And a MLK Business Expo and Family Festival is set for Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, 10701 SW 184th St., Cutler Bay between 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 13th
Volunteer to Beautify Gwen Cherry Park. Projects include mulching, painting, removing debris. Event check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. and the project will kick off at 9 a.m. and end at noon. To register, go to volunteermatch.org/search/opp2856514.jsp.
A Celebration of King’s Legacy is set for the City of West Park with Mayor Eric Jones, Vice-Mayor Brian C. Johnson, and Commissioners Kristine Judeikis and Felicia Brunson from 2-4 p.m. at the Carver Ranches Branch Library, 4735 SW 18th St., West Park. They will all share the impact that King’s life and legacy has made on their lives while special performances will come from Bell-Britt and the A.R.I.S.E. Dance Studio. Call to reserve a seat or register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebration-of-dr-kings-legacy-tickets-41219986088.
Or, volunteer to Revitalize the Garden at the North Lauderdale Saraniero Branch Library in recognition of King’s ͞Day of Service from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at 6901 Kimberly Blvd., North Lauderdale.
Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD) neighborhoods will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service performing community beautification projects and workforce development with on-site recruitment for jobs. The event will be held from 8AM to 1:30PM at the Roosevelt Gardens Community Center, 2841 NW 11th Street, Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/caribbean-breaking-news-featured/volunteer-opportunity-2nd-annual-bmsd-mlk-day-service/
Monday, Jan. 15th
Award-winning producer, director and actor Tyler Perry will be the keynote speaker at the 25th anniversary of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project’s Scholarship Breakfast. Other speakers include Rep. Frederica Wilson, founder of the boys’ mentoring program; Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida; Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; and former Rep. Charlie Rangel. The event is set for 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center, 711 NW 72nd Ave., Miami. For more see 5000rolemodels.dadeschools.net/.
The Martin Luther King Jr. 5K Run & Fitness Walk will begin at 8 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Metrorail Station, Northwest 62nd Street and 27th Avenue. The fee is $25 for those 15 and over and $15 for 14 and younger. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in various age groups.
Register at
active.com/miami-fl/running/distance-running-races/35th-annual-martin-luther-king-jr-5k-run-and-fitness-walk-2018.
The 41st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. and will feature high school marching bands, athletes and cheerleaders, plus floats and Carnival dancers. The parade will take place along Northwest 54th Street, from Northwest 10th to 32nd avenues and end with a celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 6000 NW 32nd Ct., Miami.
The Fort Lauderdale MLK Holiday Parade & Multicultural Festival:
Parade begins at Lincoln Park, 600 NW 19th Ave., Fort Lauderdale between 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
The parade will head onto Sistrunk Boulevard to Seventh Avenue then south to Southwest Second Street to Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second Street. 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For more see fortlauderdale.gov/mlk.
It’s the City Year MLK Day of Service. Register to help renovate the staff lounge; paint murals; landscape school grounds between 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Phillis Wheatley Elementary School, 1801 NW First Pl., Miami. AmeriCorps volunteers will beautify three homes in Florida City from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., and will clean up the neighborhood around Mount Olive Baptist Church, 6316 SW 59th Place, in South Miami, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the Branches Day of Service in South Miami and Florida City.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all national parks will waive their admission fees on Monday. Take advantage of this opportunity to #FindYourPark. For more information about what you can see at Everglades and Biscayne national parks, visit nps.gov.
