BAM hosts the 37th annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with artists, activists, civic leaders, and community members celebrating Dr. King's life and mission.

The largest such gathering in New York City, the annual program encourages us to continue in his radical spirit: relentlessly pressing forward in pursuit of justice—even against the odds—and celebrating the strength and power of community to create change.

Additional participating civic leaders will be announced closer to the program.

The 37th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jan 16 at 10:30am
Presented by BAM and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Free, open to the public, and accessible via livestream
(tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-seated basis starting at 8am)

Nationally recognized civil rights lawyer and law professor Sherrilyn Ifill gives the keynote address. Grammy-nominated performer Allison Russell and Vy Higginsen's award-winning choir Sing Harlem performs. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso serves as the master of ceremony. The program will be shared as a video simulcast at 10:30am at BAM.org.

Visual Art: "Freedom!"

Jan 12—20, 2023
The BAM signage screen (corner of Flatbush Ave & Lafayette Ave.), Brooklyn, NY
Run time: Looped continuously

"Freedom!" is a group exhibition inspired by the work of playwright and activist Lorraine Hansberry and the Freedom newspaper. On view for a limited time, the digital billboard-based project is a provocative exploration of the meaning of Freedom as an idea and aspiration toward self-actualization.

Seven visual artists— Allison Janae Hamilton, Chinaedu Nwadiba, Dawoud Bey, Leslie Hewitt, Robert Pruitt, and Stacey Robinson + Kamau Grantham— engage compelling questions on notions of freedom.

Timed to coincide with the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the project also pays homage to the legacy of the civil rights activist and encourages viewers to reflect on the questions: What is freedom to you? How can we think about freedom from a broader perspective?

BAMcafé Live: Russell Hall

Fri, Jan 13 at 9pm
The Adam Space (BAMcafé) 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, NY

Kingston, Jamaica-born Russell Hall is an Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe-nominated bassist and activist whose music draws on myriad musical stylings, including jazz, opera, reggae, and roots music. With an unfailing groove, blistering chops, and an abundance of character, Hall has quickly become one of New York City's preeminent bassists. When he's not creating solo work, he performs with his band, Bessie and The Rainbowkids, composed of artists from all around the world whose mission is to bring peace to all ears and love to all hearts.

BAMcafé Live: HARRIET TUBMAN

Sat, Jan 14 at 9pm
The Adam Space (BAMcafé) 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, NY

HARRIET TUBMAN—the power-jazz trio made up of guitarist Brandon Ross, bassist Melvin Gibbs, and drummer J.T. Lewis—emerge with a message of freedom in their soul-baring and politically-tweaked fusion of rock, jazz, blues, and avant-garde. HARRIET TUBMAN's genre-defying sound is pure and liberated musical expression—a deep and soulful meditation on the essence of freedom.

BAMkids Celebrates MLK Day: Courage Takes Creativity

Mon, Jan 16 from 10:30am—3pm
Ages: 6—11
Fishman Space, Hillman Studio (BAM Fisher) 321 Ashland Pl., Brooklyn, NY

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. encouraged the world to use time creatively, saying that "the time is always ripe to do what is right." Knowing that courage takes creativity, this family-friendly program, co-curated with the BAMkids Parent Advisory Circle, immerses young people in art forms that have been important expressions of social justice movements.

Art has helped raise awareness, build community, and challenge power structures. Throughout the day, families can drum, dance, craft, color, and even put themselves in moments of civil rights history from Dr. King's lifetime.

Film: My Name Is Pauli Murray

Mon, Jan 16 at 1pm
Directed by Betsy West & Julie Cohen, 2021
BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, NY
Free (tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis)

This documentary, directed by Oscar nominees Betsy West and Julie Cohen (RBG), spotlights the overlooked history of the trailblazing LGBTQ and civil rights activist, gender-nonconforming scholar, and ordained minister who championed the rights of people of color, women, and the queer community. (91min)

Learn more, visit - www.bam.org