BAM hosts its free annual Brooklyn tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., and everyone is invited. The celebration brings together artists and civic leaders to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King. 

This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Carlotta Walls LaNier, a civil rights icon who, at just 14 years old, became the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine. Her courage in desegregating Central High School in 1957 marked a turning point in American history.

The Tribute will also feature an excerpt from Divining, performed by Kiri Moore of Ailey II, honoring Dr. King’s legacy through the transformative power of dance, and a stirring performance by The Fire Ensemble, an intergenerational choir community led by founding creative director and composer Troy Anthony.

BAMkids will present If You Can’t Be the Sun, Be a Star!, a family-friendly program co-curated with the BAMkids Parent Advisory Circle. This event features interactive activities such as mural-making, a vintage photo booth, and movement workshops, all designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and reflection on Dr. King’s life and mission.

At 1pm, BAM Rose Cinemas will screen Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, a documentary introducing audiences to the groundbreaking work of Ernest Cole, a South African photographer who captured life under apartheid. 

Tickets are free for this event and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8am on January 20 in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House lobby. Please note that providing an RSVP does not guarantee entry.

A livestream is available on BAM.org during the event. The link will not be available after the program.