How Do You Honor MLK Day? Here Are Some Virtual Events

What's the story?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day traditionally means parades, marches, speeches, service projects, and community gatherings. But this year's holiday - held on the third Monday of January - will be a muted celebration amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that has especially - and disproportionally - devastated Black Americans.

MLK Day 2021 also arrives following months of Black Lives Matter civil rights protests sparked by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police officers.

The celebration also occurs two days before the first Black and first Asian vice president - Kamala Harris - is sworn in.

Online events

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & the Civil Right Movement

• Families can virtually dive into the stories of civil rights activists in New York, including Dr. King, Ella Baker, Milton Galamison, Bayard Rustin, Malcolm X, and Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture). 6:30 a.m. PT. Event details. 

Brooklyn Tribute to Martin Luther King

• Featuring: Grammy Award-winning gospel and R&B artist and Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton, Tank and the Bangas lead vocalist Tarriona "Tank" Ball, Vy Higgensen's award-winning choir Sing Harlem!, Brooklyn-based poet and 2020-2021 BAM Artist Resident Timothy DuWhite, spoken word artist Ashley August, and others. 8 a.m. PT. Event details. 

MLK Day Celebration 2021

• The California African American Museum invites families to celebrate with music, culture, and community. 10 a.m. PT. Event details. 

MLK Day Virtual Community Celebration

• The Museum of Fine Arts Boston will stream a special celebration on Facebook and YouTube. 2 p.m. PT. Event details. 

-Josh Herman