FOCUS: Charleston, N. Charleston to honor King over next week

Staff reports |  Charleston-area residents will have multiple opportunities over the next week to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the region remembers his sacrifices and leadership in the days leading up to next week’s federal holiday.

The YMCA of Greater Charleston is coordinating most of the events, including these highlights:

• MLK Racial Equity Institute, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 16-17 (sold out).
• MLK Youth Poetry Slam, 2 p.m to 4 p.m., Jan. 18, Charleston County Public Library, Calhoun St., Charleston  (register).
• MLK Ecumenical Service, 4 p.m. Jan. 19, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, North Charleston. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature a keynote address by Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, presiding prelate of the Tenth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
• MLK Parade, 10:30 a.m., Jan. 20, downtown Charleston (details).
• MLK Commemorative Concert, 5 p.m. Jan. 20, First Baptist Church of James Island (details).
• MLK Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Jan 21, Charleston Gaillard Center (tickets).  The keynote speaker will be entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheila C. Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, co-founder of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network, producer of the critically acclaimed film “The Butler,” and the first African American woman to achieve a billion-dollar net worth. Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg will serve as the event’s honorary chair.  More than 700 leaders are expected.
• MLK Youth Summit, 9 a.m., Jan. 21, Charleston Gaillard Center.
• MORE INFO.  Learn more about the 2020 MLK Celebration online at ywcagc.org/mlk. 

There’s also a free King tribute concert at 5 p.m., Jan. 18, at St. Matthew Baptist Church, 2005 Reynolds Avenue, North Charleston.  The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department will sponsor an annual Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert by the renowned group Lowcountry Voices. Admission is free, but an entry ticket is required.  To learn about tickets or the concert, call 843-740-5854.