South Louisiana celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr with events
As the nation celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. King, organizations and residents across Louisiana have planned events to unite and serve the community. Here is a list.
EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said this year’s theme is Dare to Dream: Shifting Priorities to Create a Thriving Community. Visit MLKHolidayBR.com for highlights and to register for city-parish wide events.
SATURDAY: Unity Prayer Brunch is a partnership with the Gamma Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc. Diverse Faith Leaders to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and uplift the Baton Rouge community in prayer, Saturday, January 14th at 9 a.m. at L’Auberge Casino and Hotel
SATURDAY: First Time Homebuyer’s Informational Event hosted by Louisiana Housing Corporation and Sen. Regina Barrow to discuss available resources, down payment assistance programs, credit counseling, and more, Saturday, January 14, 11am-1pm at the LSU Health Baton Rouge Clinic 5439 Airline Highway.
SATURDAY: Join the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance on January 14 for a day of service with the Sweet Olive Cemetery Cleanup (9am-3pm) and a Community Block Party (12:15pm-3pm) at theHickey Town Lot on the corner of Florida and N 25th Street. Meet at the Lot first and walk together to Sweet Olive.
MONDAY: Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in partnership with the Baton Rouge Branch of the NAACP will host its MLK Church Service honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16 at 9am. Immediately after the Church Service, the celebration will leave the church at 185 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive and head toward Expressway Park with a peace walk, a second line led by the Soulistik Brass Band, and reflections at historic landmarks Lincoln Hotel, Webb’s Barber Shop, and the Purple Circle Social Club. Organizers said the event will amplify stories that remember our past, honor our present, and ignite our future.
MONDAY: MLK Festival of Service will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 16 at 11:30am at REC Expressway Park. This event features food trucks, vendors, performances, and Battle of the Bands between McKinley Senior High and Scotlandville Magnet High.
MONDAY: MLK March & Commemoration Program in Zachary, La. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Zachary Committee will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King walk leaving from Zachary City Hall, 4700 Main St., at 6 p.m. and arriving at New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 4415 Old Weis Road, where a commemoration celebration will begin. This year’s theme is “Together We Can Be THE Dream”. Transportation will be provided from New Pilgrim Baptist Church to Zachary City Hall for those who arrive at the church at 5:15 p.m.
MONDAY: MLK Day of Service. Safe Hopeful Healthy Baton Rouge is honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by organizing service projects throughout the community. Participants will gather at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center, 2013 Central Road. The chosen project, “Pathway to Progress” is a beautification project to paint fun designs on the steps, walls, and benches leading over the I-110 North Overpass, ending at Scotlandville Magnet High School. Activities begin at 8am until 5pm with lunch from 12 – 1 p.m. Register at mlkholidaybr.com/volunteer, sign-in sheets are also available on-site.
MONDAY: MLK Day Forest Restoration Planting of native trees and shrubs at BREC's Forest Community Park to try and restore the local biodiversity and bring the forest back to health. Located at 13900 South Harrells Ferry Road in Baton Rouge, this project will involve hauling plants, digging holes and planting 3 to 15 gallons trees and shrubs. Register in advance at volunteer.brec.org. The event is for people ages 16 and older; however, exceptions will be made for children accompanied by an adult. Everyone must be registered in advance. For more information, email conservation@brec.org.
TANGIPAHOA PARISH
The Independence Area Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Steering Committee invites the town of Independence and surrounding areas to be a part of the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 16, 2023. This year the celebration will be held on what would have been Dr. King's 93rd Birthday. The march participants will line up at 9:00 a.m. at the Town of Independence Train Depot located at 270 East Railroad which is adjacent to the police station. The march will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and end at Zion Travelers M.B.C., pastored by Dr. Bobby R. Showers Sr., located at 86 Martin Luther King Jr. Street. The MLK program will begin at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Michael Jackson, Pastor of the Greater Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church of Hammond, LA, will deliver the commemorative address. Rev. Dr. Bobby Ray Showers, Sr., Pastor of the Zion Travelers M.B.C. of Independence, La and the RoseValley M.B.C. of Roseland, LA will serve as this year's Grand Marshal.
Rehearsal for this year's event will be held at the Zion Travelers, M.B.C. on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. All churches are invited to participate in the choir. For more information about the celebration or rehearsal, please contact Mrs. Jo Patton, Founder/Director at 985-222-9314.
CALCASIEU PARISH
MONDAY: The 2023 MLK Parade welcomes all floats, cars, ATVs, slingshots, bands, and dance groups to be a part of this awesome event. Lineup is from 8am to 10am at the Lake Charles Civic Center (north lot). The parade will start at 10am when leaving the Civic Center. The route will head to Lakeshore to Broad to Enterprise to Mill to Lakeshore and back to the Civic Center ending at noon. There will be an MLK community day immediately after. For more information, visit Southern Touch Entertainment.
LAFAYETTE PARISH
FRIDAY: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass & Award Celebration will be held at 6:30pm at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Bishop Douglas Deshotel will be the celebrant and homilist. This Mass, sponsored by the Office Of Black Catholic Ministries, recognizes individuals who have exemplified the characteristics and heroic virtues of Rev. King, and have contributed to their local faith community substantially.
SATURDAY: MLK Day Beloved Community Service Day. The Lafayette Habitat for Humanity in partnership with Lafayette Consolidated Government and the local Coteries will host community-wide, hands-on projects. Volunteers will partner with neighborhood organizations in Lafayette’s Northside to coordinate and execute beautification projects that will improve the quality of life of local residents. To register and volunteer, https://tinyurl.com/BelovedCommunity2023 .
MONDAY: 37th Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration in Lafayette will begin with an 8:30am prayer breakfast featuring Kimberly Lewis, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the Louisiana State University System as the guest speaker. This year's theme is "Living the Dream" — "Our Actions, Together, Impact Change Within Our Community." Dr. King Awards will be presented to retired Judge Sylvia Cooks and football legend Kevin Faulk. All activities will be held at the MLK Recreation Center at 309 Cora Street. The day will begin at 8:30 am with prayer breakfast. From 9:45 am to 2 pm, experience community exhibits and visit booths. BBQ plate lunches will be provided by Laura's II from 11 am to 1:30 pm. The evening commemorative program will start at 6 pm. Rev. Terry Anderson is the keynote speaker. Dr. King awards will be presented to Dr. Phebe Hayes and Keith Sonnier (Posthumously). The MLK/Acadiana Ecumenical Choir under the direction of Mrs. Mathilda Martin will provide the musical selections.
IBERIA PARISH
SATURDAY: MLK Day Celebration. Iberia Christian Ministerial Federation is hosting a New Iberian MLK celebration on North Hopkins Street. The celebration is from 1 to 4 p.m. with free entry and pop-up shop vendors. Guest speakers include Bishop James Gardner and Dr. Fairies Hill.
ST. LANDRY PARISH
MONDAY: 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday and Memoriam Celebration in Opelousas. The grand parade will roll through the streets of Opelousas for the 41st time at 1pm. staging begins at 11am for line up at the South City Park Teen Center. The parade route will head down North Market, East on Block Street, North on Union Street to disband at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. A 2pm program occurs following the parade. Church, School groups, social and civic organizations, Kings and Queens are encouraged to participate in the parade and the church program as well. The event is free to the public. Dr. Christopher "Chris" Williams will serve as Grand Parade Marshall. Keynote Speaker is St. Landry Parish Superintendent Patrick Jenkins, and Rev. Dr. King Service Award recipients from the surrounding church parishes will be recognized for their significant contributions to their faith communities. For more information, contact Rebecca D. Henry at 337-945-5064.
ORLEANS PARISH
MONDAY: City Year New Orleans on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to serve at Mildred Osborne Charter School in the New Orleans East community. Volunteers will restore the school’s play yard (which was damaged during Hurricane Ida), create motivational murals and play spaces, and complete classroom projects for teachers. From 8:30 am to 12pm (registration and breakfast at 8 am) at 6701 Curran Boulevard, both individuals and families are welcome! Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.