On Monday, New York City will pause to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While events are scheduled across the five boroughs, the center of gravity for this commemoration has long been the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). This year holds special significance as BAM hosts its 40th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., marking four decades of what has become the city’s largest public celebration of the civil rights leader.
The event, presented in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, is not merely a ceremony; it is a call to action. It brings together world renowned activists, musicians, and civic leaders to explore Dr. King’s vision not as a historical artifact, but as a living blueprint for addressing the injustices of the present day.
The Main Event: Keynote and Performances
The tribute begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Howard Gilman Opera House. The program is anchored by a keynote address from Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. A towering figure in modern civil rights and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Barber is expected to deliver a speech that bridges the gap between Dr. King’s moral philosophy and contemporary struggles for economic and social justice.
The morning will also feature a powerful artistic program. Khalia Campbell, a member of the acclaimed Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE dance company, will perform a solo excerpt from Grace. Titled “Mother God,” the piece is a spiritual journey set to movement, originally created for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Musical accompaniment will be provided by The Fire Ensemble, a dynamic intergenerational choir led by Troy Anthony that centers BIPOC and queer voices. Their performance promises to be an inspiring blend of gospel and R&B.
Schedule of Activities
The celebration extends well beyond the morning tribute. BAM has curated a full day of free programming designed to engage every generation:
- 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: The 40th Annual Tribute in the Howard Gilman Opera House.
- 11:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.: BAMkids Celebrates MLK Day. Located in The Adam Space (BAMcafé), this family-focused program features interactive activities like “Run, Walk, Crawl—Just Move!” and letter-writing workshops (“Dear Future Me”) that help children connect with Dr. King’s message of resilience.
- 1:00 p.m.: A free screening of the film Just Mercy at BAM Rose Cinemas. Based on the memoir by Bryan Stevenson, the film tells the true story of a lawyer’s fight to free a wrongly convicted man.
- Post-Tribute: A performance by the Brooklyn Music School’s intergenerational choir on the steps of the Peter Jay Sharp Building.
How to Participate
All events for the BAM MLK Tribute are free and open to the public, but demand is always high.
- Tickets: Tickets for the main tribute in the Opera House will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, in the lobby of the Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Avenue).
- RSVP: While you can RSVP online at BAM.org to receive updates, an RSVP does not guarantee entry. Arriving early is strongly recommended to secure a seat.
- Virtual Option: For those unable to attend in person, the main tribute will be livestreamed on BAM.org. Note that the livestream will only be available during the event and will not be archived for later viewing.
