“The time is always right to do what is right,” said Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964, and his words still echo through eternity. To ring in the new year, honor the dreams of an Atlanta-born legend with a variety of North Georgia events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19. And for your first stop, consider a visit to the newly renovated and expanded National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta, which reopened on Nov. 8. The museum will unveil its two-wing expansion, which will include a three-story west wing to house a café and new exhibition spaces including a Family Gallery for children under 12, a Ritual and Remembrance gallery, and a flexible gallery for rotating exhibitions. The one-story east wing Innovation Lab will house classrooms, performance settings, and special events, while all the current spaces of the museum will be reimagined for a fresh experience. civilandhumanrights.org
Here are more ways to keep the dream alive and well in Georgia:
● MLK Freedom Run on Jan. 17 in Decatur
● Cheer on an NBA game with the Atlanta Hawks against the Milwaukee Bucks at 1 p.m. on Jan. 19
● Attend the grand opening of the fourth At-Promise Youth Center on MLK Drive in Atlanta.
● Join the community of Sandy Springs, which will host its annual “MLK: Life & Legacy” family-friendly event on Jan. 19, featuring an educational film and children’s activities at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at 1 p.m.
● Jackson County in northeastern Georgia will celebrate “The King Day of Service” on Jan. 19. The Jackson County MLK Day of Service was formed in 2019 to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King through community service projects and activities promoting the values of service, freedom and equality. For more information, visit jacksoncountygov.com.
● Celebrate King’s legacy at the MLK Jr. Day Parade and Music Festival on Jan. 19 in Athens. The annual celebration promotes culture and diversity through local bands, dance groups, and community organizations. The parade starts at 3 p.m. at Hull and Washington Streets, followed by a music festival with food vendors and family-friendly activities. For event updates, visit visitathensga.com.
