Articles

MLK Day going virtual: Local organizations keeping King's spirit alive

The Miami Times / Selena Stanley / Jan 12, 2021

For the past four decades, on the third Monday in January, people have gathered in cities across the country to celebrate one of civil rights' greatest champions.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is usually a time to remember the late activist's life and acknowledge his achievements with parades, family festivals, food and fun.However, in the midst of a global pandemic, the day will be celebrated differently. Many of South Florida's staple events will go on this year, albeit virtually or in a socially distanced manner.

Many have questioned if the spirit of the day will remain with a pandemic-era approach. Certain aspects of an event can be lost if the format is changed. However, this hasn't stopped many organizations from marking this moment in the best way they can.

"We just want to continue Dr. King's dream of equality, freedom and prosperity, more so now than ever before," said Ladi Jenkins, president of The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Festivities Committee.

The committee is known for organizing Liberty City's annual MLK Day parade. For 44 years, the event has remained the largest MLK Day celebration in Miami-Dade.

In years past, a performance stage was set up on the corner of 54th Street and 19th Avenue, but that site looks very different this year. It's now being used for a memorial to people who have lost their lives to the virus.

With this in mind, Jenkins said, "What we're doing is making sure we bring some light out of this darkness."

This year's parade will be prerecorded for broadcast on TV, similar to what was done for the 2020 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Performers include members of UniverSoul Circus, The Caribbean Dancers and more. Jenkins also said the parade floats will be more colorful than ever.

"Everyone's really stepped up. There are a lot of components to making something like this happen, so I can't thank my team enough," she said when asked about how difficult it was to organize the virtual parade.

Every organization hosting events has had to adapt. However, the concept of change is a fitting one, according to some.

"Martin Luther King, Jr.'s thoughts on developing new attitudes and responses during a period of social change come to mind during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Florida Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson.

Wilson is the founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a mentorship and scholarship program dedicated to guiding male minority students through K-12 and college. The program's scholarship recipients are usually announced at the organization's annual MLK Day Scholarship Breakfast. However, this year the breakfast is another one of the events being held online.

There are also a few socially distanced options available to mark the day.

West Perrine's Community Development Corporation is hosting a drive-in family festival. Free food, raffles and a special presentation of highlights from King's life will honor the civil rights leader's legacy. The City of Miami Gardens will be hosting two community clean-up days if you'd like to honor King's memory through service, and there's a full slate of virtual and socially distanced events taking place as well.

MLK Day will not be the same this year, but there are still many ways we can remember King's life and keep his message alive.