Yale Peabody's 26th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Set

New Haven CT

12 January, 2022

11:18 AM

Description

NEW HAVEN, CT — The Yale Peabody Museum's 26th Annual 'Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice,' from Thursday through Monday, presents a line-up of "inspiring and thought-provoking" virtual events. The Peabody joins co-host CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the New Haven Museum in offering a slate of programs that honor Dr. King's legacy and illustrate how it continues to impact artists, advocates, and thought leaders today. The museum and its partners have gathered luminaries from the local community and across the country for live discussions and performances that examine and encourage the movement towards social and environmental justice. From exploring spirituality in environmentalism to understanding how climate change is affecting local frogs, this year's program has something for everyone including conversation, art, storytelling, and poetry. The annual Poetry Slam has been transformed into an electrifying spoken word experience that features award-winning, internationally recognized performers and poets. And the New Haven Museum is hosting a morning of family-friendly programs, including dance and storytelling. The events will take place on Zoom with live English captioning. The Peabody will also simulcast programs on its YouTube channel and Facebook page. MLK Celebration Programs Thursday, 6 to 7:15 p.m. Environmental Justice: Exploring Race, Place & Spirituality Join local and national thought leaders Sharon Lewis, Executive Director of Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice; brontë velez, creative director for Lead to Life; and Maisa Tisdale, Founder and President of the Mary and Eliza Freeman Center for a conversation that explores how race, place, and spirituality can intersect and inform one another on a path toward a more just future. REGISTRATION Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m. MLK Youth Space: Art as Wellness Created by and for middle and high school young adults, this virtual space is open to young people interested in connecting with their peers to learn and talk about mental wellness in families of color. Hosted with leadership from Students for Educational Justice. REGISTRATION Sunday, 6 to 8 p.m. Z Experience Poetry Jam Influential poet-performers Croilot and Ngoma emcee an electrifying spoken word experience in honor of Zannette Lewis, founder of our annual MLK Poetry Slam. A curated open mic will be followed by a slate of renowned poets including Lorraine Currelley, Robert Gibbons, Bao Phi, and Ray Jane. REGISTRATION Monday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. New Haven Museum Family Programming Enriching family programs celebrate Dr. King and his living legacy. Beloved storytellers Joy Donaldson, Waltrina Kirkland, and Clifton Graves will share fables, anecdotes, and stories that honor King's work. An interactive dance performance and lesson from Ms. Hanan's Dance and Beyond is followed by a kid-friendly painting activity with Anthony Gilkes. REGISTRATION Monday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Supporting Black Youth in Crisis: What Would Dr. King Say? What Would Dr. King Do? Fascinating and candid panel discussion hosted by the Black Caucus American Library Association–Connecticut Chapter on the issues plaguing Black youth in our community. The conversation will dig into the critical role of mental health and how drugs and violence perpetuate negative behavior. REGISTRATION Monday, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Community Conversation: Standing on Their Shoulders Join representatives from the New Haven African American Historical Society and the National Council for Negro Women as they share their legacy and contemporary organizing efforts, while offering ways for everyone to get involved. REGISTRATION The 26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice is generously sponsored by Presenting Sponsor Citizens™.