New Orleans MLKJr Day Programs & Initiatives
President Reagan signed the bill on November 2, 1983
The 15 Year Battle for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Getting the bill passed in the Senate would be contentious. Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina openly opposed it. At first, Helms introduced a filibuster, and then he presented a 400-page file that accused King of being a communist. Senator Ted Kennedy criticized Helms and Senator Daniel Moynihan called the document “filth” and threw it on the Senate floor.
"As a graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park in 1981 and 1982, we marched from the U.S. Capitol to the Mall Area between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, demanding a day of recognition for Dr. King! Students from Howard University and thousands of others marched in the snow. Lead by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Dick Gregory, and Steveland Morris, aka Stevie Wonder." (L.A. LeBan)
President Reagan and Coretta Scott King
President Bush and King Family Members Praying
Mayor Mitch Landrieu Supports MLKjr Day
Mayor LaToya Cantrell Supports MLKjr Day
New Orleans MLKJr Day Planning Commissioners & SCLC Members
2023 City of New Orleans MLKJr Day Planning Commission Members active in the SCLC Members pictured: Rev. Dr. Ernest Marcelle, Janet Tobias, Charmaine B. Fox, Bernice Johnson, Bobbie Cornish, Dr. Norma Chapman, Alice Lewis, Charlie T. Johnson,
and Rev. Dr. Levon A. LeBan, Commission Chairman.
2024 MLKJr Day Commission Programs & Activities
01/05/2024 - SCLC Historic Marker Dedication in Honor of Coretta Scott King
The SCLC New Orleans Chapter proudly announces that a Louisiana Historic Marker will be dedicated on Friday, January 5, 2024, on the neutral ground at South Claiborne Avenue at Jackson Avenue at 10:00 a.m. in honor of Coretta Scott King, SCLC, and the many others that petitioned, demonstrated, and marched to demand a day of recognition for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Love, and Unity Program - "Youth on the Move" 01/06/24
An event designed to inspire hope for children, youth, and families sponsored by the To Be Friends in Christ Ministry. Hosted by Second Free Mission Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Warren J. Ray, Jr., 1228 Burdette Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118.
City Church of New Orleans - will host the MLKJr Day Memorial Service 01/14/2024
An annual religious service and program of the MLKJr Day Planning Commission. This is an interdenominational/interracial program that emphasizes cultural diversity and understanding. LOCATION: 13123
I-10 East Svc. Road at 10:00 a.m., Bishop Dr. McManus, Jr., Host Pastor
2024 N.O. Public Library Celebration POSTPONED
Presented by the African American Resource Collection. This year, the focus will be on New Orleans native Mahalia Jackson! Wednesday, 10:00 AM at the New Orleans Public Library - Main Library, 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans 70112 MLKJr Planning Commissioners with Janis Kearney (center), author of - "Only on Sunday: Mahalia Jackson's Long Journey." Commissioners (l-r) Dr. Levon A. LeBan, Florida Carr Hargrove, Josie LaCour, Bobbie Cornish, Alice Lewis, and Librarian, Shukrani Gray.
2024 N.O. MLKJr Choral Celebration POSTPONED
Community and high school choir groups from the metropolitan area participate in the Choral Concert. Also, an international choir from Norway is scheduled to make a guest appearance. The Dr. MLK Jr Choral Concert will be held On Friday, January 13, 2023 at 6:00 pm at The University of New Orleans in Sen. Ted Hickey Ballroom, 2000 Lakeshore Dr, New Orleans, LA 70148
National Conference of Artists - "Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibition" 1/13/2024 - 2/29/2024
In its 27th year, the NCA Arts Exhibition of Artists and Educators coordinates many programs and activities focusing on fine arts and student participation. The Ashe Gallery, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley, NOLA 70113. For more information, www.nolamlkexhibit.org
MLKjr Day Programs & Activities
City of New Orleans MLKJr DAY Program 1/15/24
This year, on the 61st year since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the Annual MLKJr Program will be held at New Zion Baptist Church - Rev. Dr. C.S. Gordon, Host Pastor. SCLC was organized at New Zion on February 14, 1957, by Dr. King and others. The MLKJr Day Program is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.,
Monday, January 15, 2024, 2319 Third Street, NOLA 70113
R.E.A.L. Annual March and Wreath Laying 1/15/24
"Recreating the Environmental Ability to Live!" For more than forty years, it's ALWAYS on the 15th of January, the birth date of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. and starting at Abraham Lincoln Davis Park!
ONGOING PROGRAM NAACP Collection of Can Goods
As a salute to the SCLC Poor People's Campaign, the NAACP Commission Members will solicit and collect canned goods and non-perishables for metropolitan area food banks.
ONGOING PROGRAM SCLC / American Red Cross supports MLKJr Day
For the 5th year, the SCLC has partnered with the Louisiana Region, American Red Cross to install free smoke detectors and educate the community on the importance of having a plan in case of a home fire! This is an ongoing program and partnership.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints COMMISSIONER'S MEETING / RECEPTION
At 2:00 p.m., on January 15, 2024, the MLKJr Commissioners will have a brief "end-of-season" meeting to establish the date and time of the first 2024 City of New Orleans MLKJr Day Planning Commission for the new season. 3613 St. Charles Avenue, NOLA 70115
Dedication Ceremony
It is dedicated to the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in New Orleans.
Principal Durell Williams, Mayor Ernest Morial, and Phillip Batiste, OIC
Observances were held throughout the City by organizations, associations and groups - all in remembrance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
1979 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Celebration
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observances
March vs Parade
PARADE: An organized procession on a festive or ceremonial occasion (Webster's Dictionary). In New Orleans, parades are generally characterized by marching bands, groups, and floats.
MLK Montgomery March
On 25 March 1965, Martin Luther King led thousands of nonviolent demonstrators to the steps of the capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, after a 5-day, 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama
MLK Memphis March
Dr. King returned to Memphis a week later to lead a protest march on City Hall. That day, March 28, 1968, turned out to be one of the most violent demonstrations ever.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observances
Mayor Ernest Nathan "Dutch" Morial, 1978-1986
SCLC Members and City of New Orleans luminaries participating were: Mayor Morial; Philip Baptiste; Morris F.X. Jeff, Sr.; Hon. Troy Carter; Judge Israel M. Augustine, Murphy Sanchez; Dr. Elliot Willard, Sr. Rev. Dr. Simmie Lee Harvey; Rev. Dr. Norwood Thompson and others
Mayor Clarence Ray Nagin, Jr., 2002-2010
Pictured here with SCLC Members: Dr. Elliot Willard, Sr. and Rev. Dr. SCLC President Rev. Dr. Simmie Lee Harvey
Mayor Mitchell Joseph Landrieu, 2010-2018
Following the deaths of Co-Chairs Wynette Hardy Thompson and Rev. Dr. Norwood Thompson, Jr., five "new" co-chairs were named
Past Programs & Activities
1980 Andrew Pete Sanchez, Sr. Multi-Purpose Center
Philip Baptiste, Deacon John B. Williams, Gloria Irving, Hon. Sidney Barthelemy, Wilbert Petite, Herman Saul, Lesa Jefferson, Rev. Norwood Thompson, Jr., Theresa Holmes, Judge Israel M. Augustine, Gloria Irving, Michael Johnson, Andrea Lyons Williams, Dr. Durell Williams, Mother Griffin, Morris F.X. Jeff, Sr., Truner Thomas, Murphy Sanchez, Sr., Lloyd Richards, Josie LaCour, Dr. Elliot Willard, and Hon. Troy Carter
Vanishing Footprints Education Series
TBA: The Vanishing Footprints Education Series began in 1983 by Rev. Dr. Levon A. LeBan to address the need to educate interested citizens in "The Struggle for Civil Rights in Louisiana." Lest we forget, the Series joined the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission in 2007.
TBA: All Citizens Together Prayer / Peace Walk
This activity was established by Janet Tobias in 2017. Speakers: Rev. "Skip" Alexander, Min. Willie Muhammad, SCLC New Orleans President Dr. Levon A. LeBan, SCLC Macon-Bibb (GA) President Lemeul Brown. A grass-roots activist and member of SCLC, Ms. Tobias continues the struggle for equality.
City of New Orleans Official Celebration
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, on the Monday closest to the MLK Federal Holiday 1/16/23
After a brief program, participants march approximately 1.5 miles in obsservance of the many works of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Community Block Party / Celebration (TBA)
A former shopping corridor for peopple of color, the Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. stands as a tribute to the post Hurricane Katrina resilience of the people of New Orleans
Dillard University Worship Service (TBA)
Dillard University is one of the oldest HBCUs in the State of Louisiana. It's Chapel is one of the sites where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a heartfelt message
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