The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is gearing up for its annual celebration on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and this year’s theme, centered around the civil rights leader, comes from a song.
“We Who Believe in Freedom” is a lyric from “Ella’s Song,” a track from the female a cappella group Sweet Honey on the Rock, explained Lance Wheeler, Vice President of Learning and Engagement at the Wright Museum. He told BridgeDetroit that the theme is about grounding the programming around King and around collective action.
“The museum has always been culturally responsive to what’s happening in the community, but also what’s happening nationally and internationally,” Wheeler said. “That means for us to be having those conversations around social justice, freedom, hope. That is key for us. That’s been the core of the museum for the last 60 years.”
The Midtown institution has a full day of events and activities, beginning with its annual prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. The opening prayer will be led by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood, III, senior pastor at Plymouth United Church of Christ; Imam Tauheed Rashad of Historic Masjid Wali Muhammad Mosque; and Rabbi Ariana Silverman of Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. The event will also include a conversation between Ilyasah Shabazz and Ambassador Attallah Shabazz, daughters of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz.
Other activities happening throughout the day include a Tour de Troit cycling celebration, art workshops and “Hustle for History” dance workshop.
“This used to be a pillar program at the museum, but we are bringing it back for MLK Day where people are hustling to history as a fun activity,” Wheeler said. “So, you’re learning some historical facts while dancing in the museum.”
The day will end with the event, “Soul of the Dream: A Night Honoring MLK,” which will be held from 6-9 p.m.
“It isn’t just a musical performance, we’ll have poets, spoken word artists, storytellers, who are going to bring to life why this day is important to remember and to celebrate,” Wheeler said. “So, our doors open at 7 a.m. and we’re running programming until 9 p.m.”
For Wheeler, who has a background in civil rights, there’s never been a moment he hasn’t honored and remembered King. The late leader’s mission is something Wheeler strives to live by every day.
“His legacy isn’t just about gathering on a day, it is a memory that I try to live daily, and that’s to really be a good human being and be a productive citizen,” he said.
Here are some other MLK Day events happening in and around Detroit:
Wayne State University: The university is hosting a MLK celebration at 10 a.m. Friday in the Community Arts Auditorium. Titled, “Women of the Movement: Then and Now,” the event will highlight the lives of three women who lost their husbands to assassinations during the Civil Rights Movement: Coretta Scott King, the widow of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Betty Shabazz, the widow of Malcolm X; and Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of Medgar Evers. The keynote speaker is Keisha N. Blain, professor of Africana studies and history at Brown University and Richard A. Bierschbach, interim president and John W. Reed professor of law, will present the 2026 Dr. Arthur L. Johnson Community Leadership Award to Dawn N. Ison, the first Black woman to serve as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. The program also will feature a performance by WSU alumna and Detroit Poet Laureate jessica Care moore.
Detroit Public Library: Several DPL branches have celebrated King throughout the month, with children’s activities like a poster contest, scavenger hunt and storytime events. This weekend’s events include a screening of the 1990s animated film, “Our Friend, Martin,” at 3 p.m. Friday at the main branch, a peace celebration beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Redford branch, a MLK Day of Service project at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chandler Park branch and a town hall meeting at the Duffield branch, also at 2 p.m. Larry Castleberry of the Detroit Association of Black Storytellers (DABS) will portray King during the meeting.
The Henry Ford: The Dearborn museum has a three-day slate of programming dedicated to the civil rights leader. The celebration begins Saturday with an original play, “The Beginnings of the Boycott,” at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The production brings visitors inside the discussion with Rosa Parks, E.D. Nixon, Jo Ann Robinson and King as they organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Sunday’s activities include a 2 p.m. conversation between author Dr. Jeanne Theoharis and Amber Mitchell, curator of Black history at The Henry Ford. They’ll talk about Theoharis’ recently published book, “King of the North: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life of Struggle Outside the South.” Shortlisted for the 2025 Museum of African American History Stone Book Award, King of the North offers a radical reframing of the life and work of King, illuminating his activism beyond the American South. The event is free, but registration is required.
On MLK Day, The Henry Ford will unveil the living room chair from the Selma, Alabama, home of Dr. Sullivan and Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson. In 1965, their home became a refuge and strategic hub for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as it fought for Black voting rights. It was in this chair that King watched President Lyndon B. Johnson’s historic national address, which eventually led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This will be the first time the chair is displayed publicly before it’s installed inside the Jackson Home, debuting at Greenfield Village in June. Admission and parking to the museum are free on MLK Day.
Detroit Historical Museum: The Midtown museum is hosting its MLK Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. Titled “A Dream Rooted in Faith: The Legacy of the Black Church in Detroit During the Civil Rights Movement,” the free event will feature a presentation on King’s leadership at Ebenezer Baptist Church and families can enjoy hands-on arts and crafts activities inspired by themes of community, justice and faith. The celebration will close with the Detroit Historical Society’s annual tradition of singing Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” in honor of King and sharing mini cupcakes with attendees.
University of Michigan Detroit Center: The center is hosting a MLK symposium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. The two-part event will begin with a livestream of UM Ann Arbor’s MLK symposium keynote memorial lecture, featuring actress, author and civil rights activist Donzaleigh Abernathy and NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. A discussion will then be held in the Detroit Center with Detroit Justice Center Executive Director Nancy Parker and Outlier Media Executive Director and former BridgeDetroit director of engagement Orlando Bailey. The two will discuss the role of institutions of law and media in upholding freedom. The event is free, but registration is required.
Motown Museum: The museum will offer tours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday. Visitors can learn about Motown’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, King’s speech recordings that were released by the label and the creation of the Black Forum Label, Motown’s spoken word label. The tour will end with a listening experience in Studio A. Adult admission is $20 and youth ages 17 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult ticket. For a free youth ticket, enter promo code “TICKETS” at checkout.
Michigan United: The nonprofit organization is hosting its MLK celebration at 11 a.m. Monday at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 13651 Dequindre St. The event will be emceed by Rev. Rachel Kain of Dearborn’s Good Shepherd UMC and speakers include Rev. Lawrence Rodgers, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Detroit; political organizer Julie Campbell-Bodie; human capital consultant Parish Halsell and Rev. Dr. Genetta Hatcher, pastor of The Room Church. Hatcher is the keynote speaker. Detroit minister and activist Malik Shabazz and the late Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick will receive special awards for their commitment to the community and government.
Detroit Phoenix Center: The youth organization is hosting its annual MLK Day of Service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at Aya House, 2055 Gratiot Ave. The Phoenix Center will be collecting donations and working with volunteers to support youth and young adults across Detroit. Donations of non-perishable food, hygiene items, baby supplies and gift cards are needed, and volunteers are welcome to help assemble kits that will be distributed through the center’s Youth Up Mobile Center.
St. Matthew’s & St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church: The historic North End church is hosting its 23rd annual MLK Day rally beginning at noon Monday. Guest speakers include University of Michigan-Dearborn professor and activist Aurora Harris, Pan-African News Wire Editor Abayomi Azikiwe and ACLU of Michigan Attorney Mark Fancher. A march will begin following the rally at 2 p.m. After the march, there will be a community meal inside the church’s fellowship hall. The event is free, but people can register at Eventbrite.
Rainbow PUSH Coalition: The human and civil rights organization founded by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson is hosting its annual MLK Day celebration “Let Freedom Ring” at 4 p.m. Monday at the Fox Theatre. This year’s honorees include Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II; former US Sen. Debbie Stabenow; DTE Energy President and CEO Joi Harris; actor, musician and playwright Jeff Daniels; Alkebu-Lan Village founder and CEO Marvis Cofield; and Covenant House Michigan, with CEO Megan Dunn accepting on its behalf. The event will also include performances by the Brazeal Dennard Chorale along with the Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School fine arts department. The event is free, but tickets are available on Ticketmaster.