The 2025 MLK Day Beloved Community Commemorative Service will take place at Atlanta's Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, January 20th, with Bishop William J. Barber II as the keynote speaker. The service, which commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will feature a theme of 'Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365.'
As the nation recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a traditional celebration will take place locally. The 2025 MLK Day Beloved Community Commemorative Service kicks off at 9 a.m. on Monday, and you can watch it live from home. The annual service takes place at Atlanta 's Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. The theme this year is 'Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365.
'\As in years past, there are several ways to watch the MLK Day Service live: The official program begins at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The broadcast will be hosted by FOX 5 Atlanta's Deidra Dukes. This year's keynote speaker will be Bishop William J. Barber, II, the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival.\Bishop Barber was born in 1963 in Indianapolis and was raised in Washington County, North Carolina, where he attended public school as part of the desegregation process. At age 15, he was elected president of his local NAACP youth council. At 17, he was elected the first student body president to serve his integrated school for the entire year. Prior to his election, the school would alternate each semester between a Black and white president. At 19, he was elected student government president at North Carolina Central University, a historically Black college, where he also graduated cum laude with his bachelor's degree in 1985. Bishop Barber went on to earn a master of divinity from Duke University and a doctorate from Drew University with a concentration in public policy and pastoral care. Barber is no stranger to activism and nonviolent protests. In 2013, he led regular 'Moral Mondays' protests in Raleigh to advocate for civil rights. In May 2017, he was arrested at the North Carolina State Legislative Building for refusing to leave during a protest over health care legislation. That same month, he announced he would be following in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s footsteps, leading the 'Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival,' in honor of Dr. King's 1968 campaign. In 2021, he was arrested again for leading a peaceful protest in Washington, D.C., advocating for voting rights and higher wages.Today, the bishop presides over Repairers of the Breach, a nonprofit based in North Carolina all about social change. He is also an esteemed professor in the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale University.\MLK Day is a federal holiday that celebrates the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encourages the world to reflect on the issues of racism and civil rights. Widely regarded as one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in history, King spearheaded the Civil Rights Movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. He was the driving force behind landmark events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington. MARTA HONORS KING FAMILY LEGACY WITH DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., CORETTA SCOTT KING BUS\MLK Day is always celebrated on the third Monday in January, meaning it may not always land on King's actual birthday, Jan. 15. In fact, it won't happen again until 2029. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., many people spend the day giving back to their community, often referring to the holiday as a 'day on, not a day off.' Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service. President Bill Clinton signed the legislation into law on Aug. 23, 1994.AmeriCorps has nationally coordinated MLK Day of Service since 1994. There's an online matchmaker tool that can help you find a community service event near you. Here are some examples: Along with the commemorative service, the King Center is hosting a series of award shows, galas, red carpets, receptions and multiple community service projects. You can find out more about the various events and how you can volunteer here.\Dr. King's birthday was finally made a federal holiday in 1983, but it wasn't until 2000 that all 50 states fully recognized it. In 1968, Michigan Rep. John Conyers introduced the first motion to make King's birthday a federal holiday four days after he was assassinated in Memphis. He would bring it up every year in every legislative session until 1983. Illinois became the first state to adopt MLK Day as a state holiday in 1973. Other states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey followed suit, enacting their own statewide holidays during this time. It took 11 years from Conyers' initial motion before it was finally brought to a vote in the House of Representatives in 1979. The bill failed to pass by just five votes: 252-133. MLK DAY TIMELINE: HOW THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BIRTHDAY BECAME A HOLIDAY\Eventually, celebrities joined the fight. In 1981, Stevie Wonder released his soulful remix of 'Happy Birthday,' making it the anthem for the movement and a crowd favorite that lives on today. In 1983, the House took up the bill again, passing it by 53 votes.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CIVIL RIGHTS MLK DAY BISHOP WILLIAM J BARBER II BELOVED COMMUNITY ATLANTA EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH NONVIOLENCE SOCIAL JUSTICE
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2025 MLK Day Beloved Community Commemorative Service Features Bishop William J. Barber, IIThe 2025 MLK Day Beloved Community Commemorative Service will take place at Atlanta's Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, January 20th, at 9 a.m. This year's theme is 'Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365'. The keynote speaker will be Bishop William J. Barber, II, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival. The service will be broadcast live on FOX 5 Atlanta.
Read more »
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime Gets April 2025 Premiere & Final Season Set for Fall 2025My Hero Academia, one of the most popular anime franchises in recent years, is getting both a spin-off anime and its final season. The spin-off, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, will premiere in April 2025. The final season of the main series is set to air in autumn 2025
Read more »
Frankencar 2025: The best of the Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2025 finalistsTaking the best bits from our award finalists this year, this latest creation is electric with power, style, and three rows of seats.
Read more »
AIMA Tech Unveils 2025 eBike Lineup at CES 2025AIMA Tech, a global leader in sustainable mobility, unveils its groundbreaking 2025 eBike lineup at CES 2025. The new lineup features eight new models and three upgraded designs, each tailored to meet diverse rider needs.
Read more »
Here are William Blair's top stock ideas for 2025As the trading year winds to a close, investors should keep an eye on some stocks that may be due for big gains in 2025, according to the firm.
Read more »
Princess Kate and Prince William to 'Spoil' Their Children with Vacations in 2025Royal author Ingrid Seward predicts that Princess Kate and Prince William will plan several vacations for their children George, Charlotte, and Louis in 2025 as a way to provide normalcy and treat them after a difficult year for the family.
Read more »