Santa Monica continues its tradition of celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King with the annual MLK Day event this Monday.
Santa Monica College and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition will host their 41st annual celebration honoring the civil rights leader on Monday, Jan. 19, at 9 a.m. in the John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center, 2425 16th St.
Emmy Award-winning producer, reporter and talk show host Bonnie Boswell will deliver the keynote address at the free event. The 2026 theme is "Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere."
Boswell currently serves as executive producer and reporter for Bonnie Boswell Reports on PBS. Her PBS projects include the 2024 Emmy-winning documentary "Saving Moms," about maternal health, and "A Conversation with Pastor James Lawson and Attorney Bryan Stevenson." She also produced "The Powerbroker: Whitney Young's Fight for Civil Rights," a documentary about her uncle that First Lady Michelle Obama presented at the White House. At NBC-Los Angeles, Boswell was a community reporter and produced "Seeds of Peace," a documentary that won the Golden Mike Award. She holds degrees from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The multi-ethnic, interfaith program will include inspirational remarks, guest speakers and musical performances. The program also features the presentation of education awards to local high school seniors and first-year college students, and a Community Light Award.
A Community Involvement Fair beginning at 10:30 a.m. will present informational displays by community organizations. Light refreshments will be available.
Event sponsors include the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College Associates, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica Malibu United School District, SGI-USA, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council and various other organizations and individuals.
Related events include the Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council's MLK Freedom Celebration and Breakfast on Jan. 16 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., and the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Concert on Jan. 17 in Barnum Hall at Santa Monica High School, 600 Olympic Blvd.
Details are available at mlkjrwestside.org. Additional information may be requested by email at mlkjrwestsidecoalition@gmail.com.
The celebration is one of the largest and most diverse MLK events in Southern California, organized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition, a nonprofit whose mission is consistent with King's legacy.
It’s one of several free events being held this weekend. Other options include:
Culver City
Jan 17 - The city's Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department will host a community celebration from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave. The event features live entertainment, guest speakers, exhibits, activities, a resource fair and refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the local food pantry.
West Los Angeles
Jan 17 - The Skirball Cultural Center will present a free concert featuring the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (doors open at 7 p.m.) in Herscher Hall, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. More than 100 musicians and choir singers will perform classical and gospel selections. Free tickets available through advance reservation on the Skirball website. Jan 18 -
Debbie Allen Dance Academy will host "Dancing in the Light: Healing with the Arts" from 1-5 p.m. Sunday (check-in at noon) at 3791 Santa Rosalia Dr. The free event offers dance workshops in jazz, African and Afrobeats styles, an aerial dance demonstration and live art discussion. Registration required via the academy's website. Free valet parking provided.
Los Angeles
Jan 19 - The California African American Museum, 600 State Dr., will celebrate King Day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday with a performance by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, discussions with the museum's King Study Group, family art activities and food trucks. Free admission; online RSVP encouraged.
Jan 19 - The 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Western Avenue, proceeding west on King Boulevard before turning south on Crenshaw Boulevard and ending at Leimert Park. Grand Marshal Cedric the Entertainer will lead nearly 150 floats, marching bands, dancers and community groups. The parade will be televised on ABC7.