Commemorate Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with Director of Equal Justice Society Lisa Holder
January 5, 2024 1:00 PM
by Melinda Espinoza
On Monday, Jan. 15, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., join the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition for the 39th annual celebration of King and his legacy. The theme for 2024 is “Stop the Hate, Start the Healing.” The event will include speakers, performances and award presentations.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Lisa Holder, a nationally recognized, award-winning trial attorney with expertise in equal protection, education equity, employment discrimination, constitutional policing and international human rights law. Holder was recently appointed president of the Oakland-based Equal Justice Society, and she also recently completed her two-year term as an appointee of Gov. Gavin Newsom on the Reparations Task Force. In 2019, she drafted AB241 and AB242, laws that now require all judges, attorneys, court staff and health professionals to undertake continuing education on bias elimination.
After the celebration, the community is invited to attend the Community Involvement Fair to meet with representatives from a variety of nonprofit organizations and to enjoy light refreshments.
Event Information:
National Holiday Celebration
Monday, Jan. 15, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
SGI-USA World Peace Ikeda Auditorium
525 Wilshire Blvd (parking available at 1212 7th St)
Please check the website prior to the event for possible live stream link and updates: mlkjrwestside.org.
Masks are encouraged.
Community Involvement Fair
Monday, Jan. 15, 10:30 a.m. (immediately following the National Holiday Celebration)
Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club
1210 4th St.
Email involvementfair@gmail.com for more information.
More Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day events:
The public is invited to numerous upcoming special events honoring King and his legacy.
A Tribute to Harry Belafonte
Thursday, Jan. 11, 5 – 8 p.m.
Enjoy a special free screening of “Sing Your Song,” a documentary film on the life and times of the singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte with a Q&A session to follow.
Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium at the Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Contact Jenn Ullrich at (310) 458-8316 or Jennifer.ullrich@santamonica.gov for more information.
Presented by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition and the Santa Monica Public Library.
MLK Freedom Celebration
Friday, Jan. 12, 8:30 a.m.
Theme: How to get to Healing
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church
1343 Ocean Park Blvd.
Email info@smaic.com, attn: Kathleen Benjamin for more information.
Sponsored by the Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council.
Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra Annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Concert
Saturday, Jan. 13, 3 p.m.
Gary Pratt, guest conductor
Bernard Brown, choreographer and dancer
SGI-USA World Peace Ikeda Auditorium
525 Wilshire Blvd
Call (310) 773-9729 or email renee@smsymphony.org for more information.
The 2024 celebration is presented by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition and sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College Associates, Santa Monica College, SGI-USA, Rand Corporation, Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council as well as a variety of other organizations and individuals.
📷Trikosko, Marion S, photographer. Martin Luther King press conference/MST., 1964. Photograph. loc.gov/item/2003688129.
Authored By
Melinda Espinoza
Communications and Marketing Coordinator