Martin Luther King Day on the Upper West Side

The holiday of Martin Luther King Day reminds us take the time to value the importance of unity through helping others in our communities. On January 16, the Upper West Side will be paying tribute to Dr. King’s legacy with events geared towards the entire family. From a film screening to an interfaith peace walk, here’s a guide to the activities that will be taking place this year.

Celebrate at Children’s Museum of Manhattan

212 W. 83rd St.

Take your little ones to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan for a fun day of activities. At 10am and 1pm, kids of all ages are welcome to attend a workshop that will teach them how to create and design their very own portrait based on Martin Luther King Jr. This stimulating hands-on activity will help them learn about the holiday’s significance. At 11am and 12pm, children aged 6 and older will be able to participate in the “Historic Heroines: Coretta Scott King” workshop. They will get to create a children’s book in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s wife Coretta Scott King. The instructor will also teach them about the Coretta Scott King Book Award. A prestigious prize that is given every year to the best authors of African-American children’s literature. It’s bound to be a celebration to remember at the CMM!

“I Am Ali” Film Screening w/ Guest Speaker Rasheda Ali

NY Historical Society

170 Central Park West

The NY Historical Society will be screening the film “I Am Ali” for Martin Luther King Day. The screening will take place at 2pm and is recommended for families whose children exceed the age of nine. The daughter of Muhammad and Khalilah Ali, Rasheda Ali, will be there after the film ends for a Q&A session. Rasheda is a renowned author and an advocate for Parkinson’s disease. She’s appeared on many television shows as a spokesperson across the nation and abroad. This year, the famed boxer would’ve turned 75 years old and his daughter will explain the mark her father left on the Civil Rights Movement. The spirit of this event is to celebrate the life of a fighter who never gave up and changed the life of many others by doing so.

15th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Interfaith Peace Walk

Holy Name of Jesus Church

W. 96th St.

The 15th annual peace walk honoring Martin Luther King Jr. will begin promptly at 2pm. Marchers will gather around the Holy Name of Jesus Church by W. 96t St. and Amsterdam Ave.  Things will kick off with a short introduction and a prayer in remembrance of Dr. King’s legacy. The route will take marchers to the sites of different religious communities and institutions that are based on the Upper West Side. The walk will end at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament when time will be set aside for a special reading. Participants attending are encouraged to write a letter dedicated to congressional leaders. The letters should address issues that affect the well-being of our planet such as by asking for stricter regulations in climate change policies. Letters from different congregations will then be delivered to Congress in one big bulk.

Artists Celebrate Dr. King’s Legacy: Featuring Sweet Honey in the Rock

JCC Manhattan

334 Amsterdam Ave.

The delightful a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock will honor Dr. King’s legacy with a soulful concert on January 16. The all-women African-American quintet has won multiple Grammy Awards and was recently featured on Vision TV’s program “God’s Greatest Hits”. As an outstanding ensemble, they express emotions through the art of song and dance as well as sign language. Their sound is influenced by Gospel music and the lyrics address contemporary issues such as racism, domestic violence, and civil rights. The women of Sweet Honey always deliver a hopeful message of peace and unity. Proceeds from each ticket will go towards SaturdayCommunity Partners. An organization that serves to those who have been forgotten by their communities in the NYC area. Don’t miss what is sure to be a spectacular show at the JCC!

Seneca Village Tour

Central Park

Central Park Conservancy will offer two guided tours of quaint Seneca Village on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The tiny community of Seneca was at one point home to the largest collective of African-Americans in the city. During the 1800s, before Central Park was formed, this area was largely rural and showed promise due to its proximity to the Hudson River. The tour will explain the history behind the village and the lifestyle it offered to its residents. Other points of interest such as Summit Rock, Winterdale Arch, and Tanner’s Spring will also be explored. The tours start at 11am and 2pm. The meeting point is inside Central Park by 85th St. and Central Park West.