Several Minnesota nonprofits, churches, and universities are hosting events on Monday to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the federal holiday commemorating his life and legacy.
Events to mark Martin Luther King Day scheduled in the Twin Cities, Mankato, St. Cloud
A new documentary in Mankato features archival audio of the civil rights leader’s speech there in 1961.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 18, 2025 at 11:01PM
In the Twin Cities:
- The closing ceremony for the 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Ordway Music Theater in St. Paul and feature performances by Billy Steele and Fellowship Baptist Church, Jamecia Bennett and Known MPLS, and a fireside chat with Josie R. Johnson, Reatha Clark King and Stacie Stanley. Register online at https://ordway.org/events/ or watch a live stream on TPT.org.
- The Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association is hosting a celebration at the Powderhorn Recreation Center, 3400 15th Av. S., Minneapolis, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday. There will be performances, community conversations and free lunch.
- Sheletta Brundidge is inviting Black women to go to the Tubman Center, a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse, from noon to 1 p.m. Monday to drop off new bedding and pillows.
- The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is hosting an annual gathering featuring speakers, entertainment and the presentation of the Living the Dream Award. The event will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, 4055 Nicollet Av. S.
- A panel of civic leaders will discuss King’s ideas at “Exploring Creative Actions for Justice,” Minneapolis College, 1501 Hennepin Av., Room T.1400, from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday.
In Mankato:
A visit by King to Mankato during the days of the civil rights movement will be the focus of a documentary premiering Monday on Mankato.
The film, “MLK 11.12.61,″ features an archival recording of a sermon delivered by King on Nov. 12, 1961, as well as interviews with Mankato residents who were there. The free screening of the 50-minute film will begin at 6 p.m. Monday at Ostrander Hall on the campus of Minnesota State University Mankato.
King visited Mankato as part of an effort to raise awareness about civil rights in northern states. He didn’t typically visit cities as small as Mankato at the time, said Jameel Haque, director of the Kessel Peace Institute and professor in Minnesota State Mankato’s Department of History.
King gave two sermons at Centenary United Methodist Church and a speech at Mankato High School, in the auditorium of what is now Mankato West High School. A recording of his words that day, recorded by college radio station KMSU, forms the heart of the documentary.
“Listening to that speech … it gives you a chill to hear him,” Haque said.
While Mankato gave King a warm welcome in 1961, the documentary discusses whether Minnesota has lived up to the goals advocated by the civil rights leader. Director Ryan Sturgis said he wanted people to use King’s visit to understand current issues. The film was produced by Sturgis’ True Façade Pictures in Mankato and the Kessel Peace Institute at Minnesota State Mankato.
A 30-minute panel discussion with people featured in the film will follow Monday’s screening, along with a presentation of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council’s Pathfinder Awards.
In St. Cloud:
St. Cloud State University will host an MLK Community Celebration from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, featuring a community conversation, keynote address and the announcement of several award winners. The free event will be held at River’s Edge Convention Center.
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