The 2016 city of San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration marks the 29th anniversary of the city's celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King. Join one of the largest marches and commemorations in the US aimed at honoring and continuing Dr. King’s legacy.
All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
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Saturday, Jan. 9
Oratorical Contest
1 p.m.
Second Baptist Church, 3310 E. Commerce St.
Presented by the San Antonio National Pan Hellenic Council in partnership with the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, this oratorical contest features junior high and high school students
presenting speeches and competing for awards and prizes. For more information, contact Karl Nicholas at NICHOLASKP@aol.com.
Monday, Jan. 11
San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Film Series: "Selma" with guest speaker Peggy Wallace Kennedy
6 p.m.
The Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry
The San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission presents a screening of the 2014 film "Selma", directed by Ava DuVernay and starring Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo. The film chronicles Dr. King's
campaign for equal voting rights, including the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. Immediately following the film screening, Peggy Wallace Kennedy, daughter of former Alabama
Gov. George Wallace, will share her personal journey to redemption and her first-hand account of race and politics in the American South. Seating is limited and tickets are required. Free tickets are
available online.
Tuesday, Jan. 12
Nonviolent Social Change Symposium: Poverty, Racism and Violence
7 p.m.
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle
The Nonviolent Social Change Symposium provides a unique opportunity for the local community -- especially area students -- to engage in a timely and thought-provoking forum. The symposium features
Fox News Channel anchor Arthel Neville as the event moderator and three nationally-renowned panelists covering the topics of poverty, racism and violence: Henry Cisneros (Former HUD Secretary),
Dara Silverman (National Coordinator for Showing Up for Racial Justice), and Benjamin Crump (President of the National Bar Association). Free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Jan. 13
JD Lawrence Presents, "Martin, Malcolm and Me"
7 p.m.
The Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry
The San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission welcomes nationally-acclaimed writer/director JD Lawrence who presents his stage play, "Martin, Malcolm and Me." The production tells the story of a
chance meeting between Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and a young black man whose brother is wrongfully killed by police. "Martin, Malcolm and Me," has been performed in cities across the country.
All proceeds benefit the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund. Tickets may be purchased through the Carver Box Office or Ticketmaster.
Thursday, Jan. 14
MLK, Jr. Commemorative Lecture Speaker: Dr. Freeman Hrabowski
7:30 p.m.
Trinity University (Laurie Auditorium), One Trinity Place
Trinity University and the San Antonio MLK Jr. Commission present the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski. Dr. Hrabowski, President
of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) since 1992, was a child-leader in the Civil Rights Movement and was prominently featured in Spike Lee's 1997 documentary, "Four Little Girls," on the racially-motivated bombing in 1963 of Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Free and open to the public.
Friday, Jan. 15
Arts Gala in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring the San Antonio Symphony
8 p.m.
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle
In honor of Dr. King's birthday, the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission proudly presents this first-time event in partnership with the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and the San Antonio
Symphony, who will perform music from the Civil Rights Movement. The evening will also include the official announcement of the Commission's 2016 Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Achievement
Award winner. Tickets may be purchased through the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
Saturday, Jan. 16
My City, Our Community Youth Summit
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
St. Philip's College (Watson Fine Arts Center), 1801 Martin Luther King Drive
San Antonio youth will have a unique opportunity to take part in a one-day summit featuring dynamic guest speakers and interactive sessions designed to provoke thought and discussion. Presented by the
San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the summit also will feature a special performance by rapper and spoken word poet, J. Ivy – a Grammy-award winner and three-time HBO Def Poet. The
keynote speaker is South Carolina state Rep. Bakari Sellers, the youngest person ever elected to office and a current CNN contributor. Complimentary lunch will be provided. For more information,
contact Dr. Mateen Diop at 210-858-7212. Free and open to the public.
Alpha Educational Foundation 2016 Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
9 a.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton San Antonio Airport, 37 NE Loop 410
The Delta Rho Lambda Chapter’s Alpha Educational Fund of SA, Inc. of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosts its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. The event will feature a keynote presentation by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro. For more information or ticket prices, click here or call 210-508-7324.
Teen Acting Workshop
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Playhouse San Antonio, 800 W. Ashby Place
The San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission presents a workshop for teens featuring writer/director JD Lawrence, creator of the stage play, "Martin, Malcolm and Me." Teens will learn
about acting, writing, production and more from industry professionals. Free and open to the public.
San Antonio Northwest Civic and Social Club 21st Annual MLK, Jr. Birthday Celebration
6 p.m.
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (Gateway Club), 2150 Kenly Drive
The San Antonio Northwest Civic and Social Club, as a partner of San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, invites the community to the 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
honoring the life, struggles and accomplishments of Dr. King. Donation is $30 for a full course meal,keynote speaker, entertainment and a dance. Dress is semi-formal. The event will feature a prominent
guest speaker: Rev. Dr. Robert L. Jemerson, Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Retired USAF Chaplain, Colonel. Tickets must be purchased five days before the event. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Contact Van Johnson, 210-364-8317 for tickets and base access.
Sunday, Jan. 17
Wreath-Laying Ceremony
2 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, Intersection of E. Houston and N. New Braunfels
The San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission invites the community to the commission's annual Wreath-laying Ceremony honoring the life, struggles and accomplishments of Dr. King. Businesses and
organizations will lay wreaths at the MLK Jr. statue in commemoration. The event also will feature a keynote presentation by Thomas Todd, an activist and civil rights attorney who was the first full-time
African American law professor at Northwestern University. Free and open to the public.
Citywide Interfaith Worship Service
4 p.m.
St. Gerard Catholic Church, 1523 Iowa
The 29th Annual Citywide Interfaith Worship Service, presented by the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, will feature several invited guest speakers who will present on various topics of faith and the legacy of Dr. King. A keynote speech will be presented by Justice Jason Pulliam. Free and open to the public.
Third Annual Gospel Choir Extravaganza
6 p.m.
True Vision Church, 2826 Ackerman Rd.
The Gospel Choir Extravaganza, in partnership with the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, features various choirs competing for cash and prizes. The event features guest artist Isaac Carree, and proceeds benefit MLK Jr. Commission Scholarship. Advance tickets are $15 and $20 at the door. To purchase tickets and for more information, gospelcompete.com or 210-730-1555.
Monday, Jan. 18
MLK, Jr. Pre-March Civil Rights for Kids Experience
8-10 a.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Drive
The MLK Jr. Pre-March Civil Rights for Kids Experience provides an opportunity for youth of all ages to learn about our nation's history, discuss current events, and brainstorm how they can make a difference in the community. Presented by the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the event will include a visual civil rights timeline, writing personal mission statements, creating banners and more. Free and open to the public.
Charles R. Drew Blood Drive
8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa
The Psi Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center host this annual blood drive. A one-pint blood donation benefits three other recipients. A picture ID is
required from all donors. For more information, contact Eddie Chew at 210-725-6506 or K.D. Singleton at 210-363-7084.
Literacy Caravan
8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa
The San Antonio Library Foundation, in partnership with the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, will host this mobile classroom van on-site at the Commemorative Program to provide
educational resources for the community. For more information on the literacy caravan, click here. Free and open to the public.
Voter Registration
8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa
The Neighborhoods First Alliance, in partnership with the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, will provide a voter registration area during the Commemorative Program for residents to
register to vote and attain voting information. Free and open to the public.
Early Morning Worship Program
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa
The community is invited to enjoy a positive and uplifting experience during the Early Morning Worship Program. Presented by the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the event features
contemporary and traditional musical artists, inspirational and motivational dances and spoken word performances. Free and open to the public.
Martin Luther King, Jr. March
Begins at 10 a.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Drive
The annual march, organized and presented by the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and the city of San Antonio, begins at the MLK Jr. Academy and ends at Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa.
The nearly 3-mile route down Martin Luther King Drive takes participants through San Antonio's historic East Side in remembrance of Dr. King. In 2015, more than 200,000 people participated in the march as part of an unforgettable experience that has become one of San Antonio's signature events. For route information or VIA Park & Ride details, click here.
Commemorative Program
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa
The San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission's Commemorative program is one of the highlights of King Week San Antonio and of the annual commemoration honoring Dr. King. The program will
feature a keynote address, a performance by Stellar Award-winning Gospel artist Isaac Carree, and Jeremy Green, a classically-trained violinist and San Antonio native. The presentation of the Baha'i Unity of Humanity Award and the Rev. R.A. Callies Courage Award are also part of the program's highlights. Free and open to the public.
King Week Concert
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa
The newest addition to San Antonio's annual commemoration of Dr. King is the King Week Concert serving as the finale to King Week 2016. Presented by the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr.
Commission, this high-energy concert, immediately following the Commemorative Program, will unify different genres of music performed by local and national artists celebrating the influence music has had
on social change. Free and open to the public.
Friday, Jan. 22
Dream Major Gala
6:30-11:30 p.m.
Omni Hotel San Antonio at the Colonnade, 821 Colonnade Boulevard
In commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Pi Theta Lambda Chapter, in partnership with the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission,
presents the 3rd Annual DREAM MAJOR © Gala to benefit the Pi Theta Lambda Educational Foundation, Inc. Keynote speaker for the event will be Justice Jason Pulliam, Fourth Court of Appeals, in San
Antonio. The formal evening will also feature the Esprit de Martin Dinner and live entertainment. For more information, click here.
Jan. 28
MLK Distinguished Lecture Series: Icon Talks Presents An Evening of Music & Conversation with Chaka
Khan
8 p.m.
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle
Icon Talks and its charitable counterpart, Icon to Ican (in conjunction with the San Antonio MLK Jr. Commission), features this monumental event. Ten-time Grammy-winning music artist, author and
producer, Chaka Khan, articulates the message of “success to significance.” Khan will share her journey of rising to prominence and celebrity as one of the most iconic artists of all time. Khan further will address the intimate audience by explaining her recognized core keys to success and highlighting monumental differences between success and significance. The event also includes a private concert for attendees. Proceeds from this event will directly benefit Icon Talks’ charitable counterpart, Icon to Ican, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in San Antonio. Tickets may be purchased through the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
Feb. 11
MLK Distinguished Lecture Series: LeVar Burton
11 a.m.
St. Philip's College, 1801 Martin Luther King Drive
St. Philip’s College, in partnership with the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, presents a conversation with LeVar Burton, award-winning actor, director, producer and author. Burton is best
known for his role in “Roots” and as the host and executive producer of the long-running PBS children’s series, “Reading Rainbow.” Free and open to the public.
