Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy loom large in the American consciousness, especially today as a new social movement organizes to combat the lingering racial inequalities that plague the country. While conflict inevitably continues, MLK Day 2015 provided Americans far and wide with an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s work and to embrace his vision for a country in which every citizen, regardless of skin color or background, has an equal shot at prosperity.
On Jan. 19, 2015, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater proudly presented the sixth annual East Liberty Celebrates MLK Day. The family-friendly event, which brought together Pittsburghers from all walks of life, featured performances, activities, special guests and discussions that highlighted Dr. King’s work. The programming helped to highlight the important role that young people play in shaping their communities through art, performance and action.
Beginning at noon, guests could peruse tables set up by partnering organizations, including Repair the World Pittsburgh, Assemble, the Union Project, the Fair Housing Partnership of Pittsburgh, Reading is FUNdamental, the Center for Victims, Pittsburgh Cares, MGR Youth Empowerment and the YMCA Westinghouse Lighthouse Project.
Darrell Kinsel, a local artist and partner at Penn Ave. arts space Boom Concepts, emceed the event, which featured live performances by Soundwaves Steelband, the Lighthouse Project, 1Hood, Dreams of Hope, Hope Academy, and the Trevor C. Dance Collective starting at 2 p.m.
