Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only a beacon of hope and a celebration of one of America’s greatest leaders, but it is also a reminder of the progress that still must be accomplished. Many Cleveland art institutions are celebrating King’s legacy through the power of music, art and spoken word. Here are a few events to check out over the next couple of days.
The Cleveland Museum of Art: Shifting Priorities to Create the Beloved Community
During the Civil Rights Movement, King envisioned the world as a “beloved community,” a vision that included equal opportunities and love for all. The Cleveland Museum of Art is exploring that theme with its new Picturing Motherhood Now exhibit, which portrays the indelible bond in situations largely overlooked. “Mothers of color have been left out of the canon of art history,” explains Emily Liebert, the museum’s curator of contemporary art. (LINK) The museum will also debut its new Family Discovery Pack, a fanny pack filled with tools and activities designed to help children spark creative conversations about the museum. Free, Jan. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org
Case Western Reserve University: Virtual MLK Convocation
Historian and Peabody Award winner Jelani Cobb joins Case Western for a virtual convocation discussing the theme of the Half-Life of Freedom, Race and Justice in America Today. A staff writer at The New Yorker, Cobb is also the Ira A. Lippman Professor of Journalism at Columbia University. Register online here. Free, Jan. 14, 1 p.m., online event, alumnievents.case.edu.
Cleveland Clinic: Day of Celebration Building Community Together Virtual Event
This virtual event is hosted WKYC’s Russ Mitchell and will feature musical performances by Musical Pathway Fellowship and the Cleveland Institute of Music along with a speech from newly-minted Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb. Mitchell will also host. A CEO panel that will feature MetroHealth CEO Akram Boutros , University Hospitals CEO Cliff Megerian, Cleveland Clinic CEO Tom Mihaljevic and St. Vincent Charity CEO Janice Murphy. Register online here. Free, Jan. 14, 8 a.m., online event
Cleveland State University: Future Leaders Dreaming Forward with Cuyahoga Community College
Two Cleveland downtown institutions are coming together to honor Cleveland’s future with Monday’s Future Leaders Dreaming Forward event. In addition to having student essay winners from TRI-C and CSU deliver their speeches, the event will be emceed by Clarence Bozeman, a retired principal who drove for Martin Luther King Jr. between 1958 and 1960. The livestream for the event can be viewed here. Free, Jan. 18, 8:30 a.m., online event
Community Cup Foundation: Black Baseball Stories 2022
Along with drawing attention to Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, this virtual event will also showcase the historic legacy of baseball’s Negro Leagues along with the African-American experience in baseball. The event, put together in junction with the Community Cup Foundation and the Cuyahoga County Arts and Culture Council, will draw on the Negro League experiences to reflect how our past as a country can help us fight today’s challenges. Register for the event here. Free, Jan. 15, 10 a.m., online event
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage: Hear Our Voices: Free MLK Day Celebration
Like other local museums, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage will be honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday with free admission. In addition, there’s a slew of online programs for all ages, with only registration required, including Lake Erie Ink’s “Stop the Hate” essay workshop for sixth to twelth graders in preparation for the “Stop the Hate” scholarship contest and a discussion with founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim. Free, Jan. 17, all day, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org
Additional MLK Day Celebrations
Akron Art Museum
The museum will be open Jan. 17, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Admission and activities sprinkled throughout the day will be free, no registration required.1 South High St., Akron, 330-376-9186, akronartmuseum.org
Akron Zoo
The Akron Zoo invites guests to reserve tickets for a day full of free zoo admission and activities by the Akron Chapter of NAACP and National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa. Jan. 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, 330-375-2550, akronzoo.org
Cleveland History Center
This year, the Western Reserve Historical Society offers an online Martin Luther King Jr. Day resource. Complete with digital activities, historical photographs, articles and other selections from WRHS’ African American Archives, it’s a way to reflect on the day from the comfort of your coach. 216-721-5722, wrhs.org
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
For members and non-members alike, virtual programs via Facebook live will run throughout the day on Jan. 17. First up, see a 33-million-year-old skull get 3D scanned. Then, learn about winter wildlife, how we manipulate air, and get into the grit of how scientists define “race” in the context of genetics. Jan. 17, 10 a.m. 216-231-4600, cmnh.org
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
While the aquarium is open for regular admission, all funds raised through a $5 registration fee for the 4 p.m. online event, Escape to the Ocean: A Virtual MLK Day Visit, will go toward the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland. 2000 Sycamore St., 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Great Lakes Science Center
The Great Lakes Science Center’s Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration day is virtual this year, but the lineup will not have you falling short among the stars. After a talk on Cleveland’s digital divide, meet members of NASA’s Artemis Team and learn from mechanical engineer Reggie Glossett how the National Society of Black Engineers are engaging and inspiring youth. greatscience.com
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In partnership with Rock the Block Community Days, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be opening up it’s doors for free admission to all on Jan. 17, starting at 10 a.m.. Reserved timeslots are required for entry, but once you’re in, take pleasure in celebrating your favorite Black artists, a live performance by Marcus Smith at 12:45 p.m. or even giving back with a blood drive—10% discount in the Rock Hall store for donors. Jan. 17, 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland ,216-781-7625, rockhall.com
