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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Monday, January 17, 2005

All King Day events have been designed to provoke consciousness of King’s agenda, as well as 
salute and celebrate the legacy of one of the world’s greatest heroes.

 “The Wait Is Over!

African Americans for centuries have been confronted by racism and discrimination that has necessitated the employment of various types of negotiation tactics such as nonviolent activities or violent confrontations. Opposing opinions of an issue sometimes require people to seek introspection that hopefully will eliminate crisis situations. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” calls for a negotiation process that will address prejudice and racism. Many people still remain in an illusionary state that will not allow them realistic and creative methods to eradicate these societal ills. Dr. King’s contention was that a nonviolent tension-filled; crisis situation demands that African Americans wait no longer for justice to be delivered... The wait is over!

Excerpt from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” April 16, 1963

 We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be 
demanded by the oppressed.... For years now I have heard the word "Wait!" It rings in the ear of every 
Negro with piercing familiarity. This “Wait" has almost always meant “Never.” We must come to see, with 
one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice too long delayed is justice denied.” We have waited for more 
than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights.

 The forth-annual King Day Celebration is sponsored by:



Program Schedule   

Breakfast Program
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

This annual breakfast kicks off the Museum’s daylong King Day Celebration.  Reverend Kenneth J. Flowers, Pastor of Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church will deliver a special greeting.  The nationally acclaimed Detroit School for the Fine and Performing Arts (DSA),Visions (Male Ensemble) will perform music from the Civil Right’s era.

King Day Educational /Public Programming 
General Motors Theater (Upper Level)

11:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony 

11:10 - 11:50 a.m.
Chosen: A Gospel Experience!
Chosen, an acappella gospel ensemble, will bless you with their smooth melodic sounds.

12: 30 - 1:00 p.m.
  Get-Your-Black-Facts-On Quiz Show
Three members from the audience will be selected to test their skills and knowledge on 
African American History. Join in to win prizes.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
 Michael Nelson 
New Detroit’s Director of Strategic Implementation, Michael Nelson will read poetry written 
by Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Collen. This dramatic presentation will explore the evils 
of social inequality through written word.

 The Wait Is Over! Mock Protest
The Mosaic Youth Theatre will stage a mock protest, reminiscent of protest 
demonstrations of the 1960s. The Mosaic Youth Theatre is presented by the 
Ford Motor Company Fund.

Artist Expressions & Interpretations
Ivan Stewart, a Detroit artist featured in the exhibition Rock My Soul, will present the works of Nina Simone through artistic oral interpretation. The presentation will be enhanced with artistic dance performed by Museum Teacher, Tene’ Dismuke to the empowering recordings of I Put A Spell On You and See Line Woman by Nina Simone.

 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Eric King and Company, A Musical Uplifting Inspiration!
Eric King, vocalist extraordinaire and former protégé of Brazeal Dennard, will culminate the day with a unique combination of musical selections inspired to uplift your spirit with a mixture of musical genres.

Book Signing
Museum Store (Upper Level)
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Dr. Roberta Wright, Rosa Parks: The Birth of the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Dr. Roberta Wright, author and widow of Dr. Charles H. Wright will share words of wisdom, personal testimonies and stories of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  Dr. Wright will sign purchased copies of her book.

Children’s Activities
 Classrooms (Lower Level)
12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

King Activity Sheets (Ages 3-5)

 Postcards to Ghana (Ages 7-17)

This activity will help children to understand that Dr. King was an international inspiration 
and hero to people around the world. Children will write notes to their peers in Ghana 
to develop international friendships.

(The Museum cannot guarantee all children in Ghana will respond.)

 Family Tree Scrapbooking (Ages 5-12)
Every family has a history that is uniquely their own.  Participants will put together the first page of a personal scrapbook that will allow them to discover their uniqueness and encourage appreciation of their roots.

 The Storytellers
Orientation Theater (Lower Level)
12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

The Storytellers, Robert and Audrey Allison, will present an upbeat and heartwarming 
collection of stories and tales with positive moral messages based on 
Dr. Kings beliefs of peace and equality.

 Panel Discussion
Blue Cross Blue Shield Contemporary Artist Gallery (Lower Level)
3:15 - 4:15 pm

The Wait Is Over! Panel Discussion

Scholars will examine the philosophies and teachings of Dr. King, and examine how 
his beliefs were embraced and influenced by the world.

Panelists:         Dr. Melba Boyd, Professor of Africana Studies, Wayne State University
                        Dr. Grant Friley, Professor of Sociology, Wayne State University
                        Dr. Aombaye Ramsey, Licensed Psychologist

 Moderator:        Marcus Shapley, Assistant Curator of Exhibitions, CHWMAAH

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