Modesto community will take to the streets to mark MLK holiday. How you can join
The legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. will be marked with several events in the Modesto region.
The federal holiday honoring the life and work of MLK is Jan. 20. An annual unity march and luncheon is scheduled that day, as is a celebration at Christian Love Baptist Church, both in Modesto.
There are other commemorations starting Jan. 16 and running through March 1, including one in the Mother Lode.
Here’s a look at some of what’s planned:
NAACP mixer – Jan. 16: “United We Stand, One Community, Many Shades” is open to the public and features Modesto Poet Laureate Angela Drew, poet Vielka Solano and spoken-word artist Michael Baldwin Sr. 5-7:30 p.m. at King-Kennedy Memorial Center, 601 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Modesto.
MLK Celebration Luncheon – Jan. 17: The King-Kennedy Board of Directors presents the luncheon with the theme “Unwise and Untimely,” with speaker LaKiesha McDonald. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at King-Kennedy Memorial Center, 601 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Modesto. $20. RSVP at 209-568-3643.
Sonora Martin Luther King Jr. Observance – Jan. 18: The Motherlode Martin Luther King Jr. Committee will hold its annual observance with speaker Nikum Pon. Pon survived the 1970s genocide in Cambodia and is now an education consultant in Seattle. 2 p.m. in the Sonora High School auditorium, 430 N. Washington St. Free.
MLK Unity March – Jan. 20: The annual Silver Square Lodge #66 Unity March marks “Daring to Dream: The Bold Vision of a New Generation.” Assembly for the march is from noon to 1 p.m. at the King Kennedy Memorial Center, 601 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Modesto. There will be a luncheon and program with live music, speakers and more after the march, around 3 p.m., at the Modesto Centre Plaza Arbor Theater, 1001 K St., Modesto. $25 suggested scholarship donation. RSVP for the luncheon at 209-595-6966.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration – Jan. 20: The theme for the event is “Labor of Unity in Love: Reignite the Dream.” Keynote speaker will be the Rev. Carl Bryant. The event also will feature a community gospel choir and Modesto Poet Laureate Angela Drew. 10 a.m. at Christian Love Baptist Church, 202 H St., Modesto. Free. 209-576-1034.
Modesto Peace/Life Center – March 1: The speaker will be LaDoris Hazzard Cordell, the first Black woman to be appointed to a superior court judgeship in Northern California. She served on the Santa Clara County bench and later was on the Palo Alto City Council. 7 p.m. Modesto Junior College Performing Arts and Media Center, 435 College Ave. Free. 209-529-5750.
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
