Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Gantt Center: It Takes a Village

The Levine Museum of the New South and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture are presenting an event for MLK Day on Monday, January 16th, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It takes place at both the Gantt Center, 5511 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, and Levine Museum, 401 S Tryon Street.

This is a free event for all ages.

Food Lion Martin Luther King Jr. Day: It Takes a Village is sourced from the Gantt’s partnership with Levine Museum of the New South in presenting the Smithsonian’s Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. exhibition.

Learn about all the other MLK Day events in the Charlotte area.

Programming will include:

• Community-led conversations reflecting how unified effort contributed to the success of the Civil Rights Movement, and how we can adapt those same principles today
• Lectures from regional historians, scholars, and history-makers to give uncommon context to Dr. King’s work
• Theater and live musical performances from premier performers in Charlotte and beyond
• Elevated hands-on art experiences in which guests can have a durable keepsake to commemorate the day
• Community mural that artistically represents the day’s theme
• Quilting/sewing workshops for scarves and other clothing items to be donated to our community members in need

Program Schedule

Children’s Book Storytime with Braxton Winston, the Gantt 2nd-floor lobby
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Sit the little ones down for colorful stories of equity and civil rights, from children’s books created by local authors who will feature in a concurrent panel discussion on the 4th floor. Read by our own Councilman Braxton Winston, the youth will connect with local activism in a way that plants seeds.

Our Friend, Martin, Performance Suite, the Gantt 2nd floor
9:00 am – 10:15 am
Our Friend Martin is an animated, feature-length film that features two sixth-grade boys who are transported back to the time of civil rights leader Dr. King and who learn about his life and his contribution to humankind by experiencing the moment themselves and watching history in the making.

Civil Rights Arts & Crafts Station, the Gantt 3rd-floor mezzanine
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
For the entire family, enjoy an assortment of art activities that commemorate the Civil Rights era.

The Talk: Children’s Book Author Reflections, the Gantt 4th floor
9:30 am – 11:00 am
How do children’s book authors continue the work of Rev. Dr. King? Hear the stories of local and talented authors and illustrators, specifically how they create stories that inform and uplift our youngest generation. This talk will be followed by a book signing for some of our premiere children’s books, available for purchase in the Museum Store.

Empowerment Sounds with Arsena, the Gantt 2nd-floor lobby
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Enjoy covers of iconic Civil Rights era music, along with original music from musical sensation Arsena, all meant to enliven our community. Follow Arsena on Instagram: @arsenamusic

MLK & Civil Rights Trivia, the Gantt Performance Suite, 2nd floor
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
How much do you know about the Civil Rights era? Enjoy rounds of trivia the entire family can enjoy. We will crown at least 3 winners!

Pop-Up Poetry with Jah Smalls and Meet the Artists (Charlotte’s Men of Change), Levine Museum at 401 S Tryon St
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Enjoy pop-up poetry by Jah Smalls and take a moment to meet the local artists commissioned to create brand new artwork inspired by some impactful Black men as part of the Charlotte’s Men of Change pop-up exhibition.

NC Civil Rights Trail with the AAHC, the Gantt 4th floor
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Learn about iconic local civil rights movements, and see the ways our state carried out Rev. Dr. King’s mission. In proud partnership with the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission (AAHC).

Breaking Ground: A Panel of Firsts, the Gantt 2nd-floor lobby
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Moderated by CMS Foundation Executive Director Sonja Gantt, this panel discussion will feature Mr. James Ferguson, II (co-founder of the first integrated law firm in North Carolina), Ms. Dorothy Counts-Scoggins (one of the first students to integrate public schools in Charlotte), and Mr. Ken Koontz (one of the first Black anchormen in Charlotte), among other special guests.

We will hear the stories of these groundbreakers in new ways. Why is it essential to preserve their stories, keeping them at the forefront of our commemorations? In what ways are their experiences timeless reminders of an ever-evolving revolution? Join the celebration as we get details of the struggle and triumph of the journeys of some of our prized groundbreakers.

Charlotte’s Men of Change Exhibition: Meet the Artists, the Gantt Performance Suite, 2nd-floor
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
MLK Day will be the community’s first view of the Charlotte’s Men of Change pop-up exhibition. Take a moment to meet the local artists we commissioned to create brand new artwork inspired by some impactful Black men in our very own city. Learn about the artists’ processes in embodying the essence of such pivotal men and walk away inspired.

Community of Change Conversation, the Gantt 4th floor
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Our 3rd installment of Community of Change, this conversation positions our guests as the main contributors. Learn about the ways Black men in our local community are inspiring change, and the ways you can support. Led by The Males Place founder, Reggie Singleton, and founder of Heal Charlotte, Greg Jackson.

Drop-In Art, Levine Museum at 401 S Tryon St
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
As you visit the other half of the Men of Change exhibition, enjoy some crafts for all ages!

Community Drop-In Art with Ricky Singh. the Gantt 3rd-floor mezzanine
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Led by Ricky Singh, teaching artist and head of Charlotte Lab’s Upper School. Let your creative side shine with a drop-in activity to celebrate Rev. Dr. King. An experience the entire family can enjoy.

The Youth Revolution Soundtrack, the Gantt 2nd-floor lobby
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
See how music inspires today’s youth to preserve Rev. Dr. King’s mission and forward their own movement, similar to the ways music influenced the Civil Rights era and other movements in history. The youth will showcase a range of talents/performances to share how they are inspired to be champions of equity.

MLK: The Power of Words, the Gantt Performance Suite, 2nd floor
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Led by artist and community leader Jermaine Nakia Lee, Participants will examine the ways in which powerful and passion-filled words can be used to communicate the concepts of freedom, justice, equality and the American Dream as in Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

 

More MLK Day Events

Check out our list of MLK Day events in the Charlotte area (as they’re announced) or look at a few of them here: