Fiftieth Anniversary of Dr. King's Death: April 4, 2018







Tuesday, April 3

Universal Life Building Ribbon Cutting, 10 a.m., corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Danny Thomas Boulevard

An iconic building in Memphis, the Universal Life Building, has undergone an extensive renovation to return to its original glory. It will serve a new purpose as the hub for minority business development in Memphis.

Mountaintop Speech Commemoration, 6 – 9 p.m., Mason Temple, 930 Mason Street

The ceremony will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s prophetic Mountaintop speech on the night of April 3, 1968. The program will feature national leaders, artists, and dignitaries. 

Wednesday, April 4
Reenactment of “I AM A MAN” Photograph, 8 – 11 a.m., 333 Beale Street

The Withers Collection Museum and Gallery will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1968 sanitation workers with a reenactment of the iconic “I AM A MAN” photograph from the 1968 sanitation workers strike. The photo will be taken from a helicopter by the granddaughter of Dr. Withers, Mrs. Eboni Bullard. 

50th Anniversary of Sanitation Strike March, 8 a.m., 485 Beale Street

The rally will kick off at AFSCME Headquarters with civil rights activists, faith leaders, and musical talent. Participants will then march to Mason Temple.

Service of Remembrance and Reconciliation, noon – 1 p.m., Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 North Second Street

The service of remembrance honors enslaved people sold at the site of the antebellum slave mart owned by Nathan Bedford Forrest. Students from Rhodes College, along with local scholars, helped write the text for the new historic marker, which will be dedicated at the end of the service.

50th Anniversary Commemoration, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., National Civil Rights Museum, 450 Mulberry Street

The commemoration service features guest speakers, music, spoken word performances, and tributes. A changing of the wreath ceremony on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel will be held at 3:30 p.m. A moment of silence will be held at 6:01 p.m., the time that the shot was fired.

A shuttle to and from the National Civil Rights Museum will run from 7:30 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. It will start at B.B. King Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and make several stops along the way to the museum. 

Thursday, April 5
I AM A MAN Plaza Dedication Ceremony, 11:30 a.m., south side of Clayborn Temple, 294 Hernando Street

I AM A MAN Plaza honors the Memphis sanitation workers strike with its iconic “I AM A MAN” signs. Note: Hernando Street between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Vance Avenue along with East Pontotoc Avenue between South 4th Street and Hernando Avenue will be closed from 7 p.m. on April 4 through 4:30 p.m. on April 5. 

Friday, April 6
Opening of MLK Reflection Site, 1 p.m., corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and South Second Street

The MLK Reflection Site will serve as just that – a place for people to reflect on Dr. King’s message as well as his impact in Memphis. Note: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue between South B.B. King Boulevard and Mulberry Street and South Second Street between George W. Lee Avenue and East Pontotoc Avenue will be shut down for several hours during the opening.

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