City announces Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Program

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The City’s annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Program will be held on Sunday, January 15^th from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church located at 47 South Sixth Street.

Sponsored by the City of New Bedford’s Department of Community Services, and the Office of the Mayor, The New Bedford Human Relations Commission, and the NAACP New Bedford Branch, the program will feature live poetry, music, remarks from the Mayor, and keynote speaker Rahsaan Hall.

Hall is the founder and principal of Rahsaan Hall Consulting in Boston, Massachusetts, where he provides experienced racial justice and criminal law reform advocacy focusing on community engagement, policy advocacy, and racial equity. He was the Deputy Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice where his work included policy, legislative advocacy, and community outreach.

“Each year during this annual day of remembrance, we come together to celebrate Dr. King’s message of peace and unity. We are strongest when we set aside our differences and find common ground,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

Sunday’s program also features musical selections from vocal artist and New Bedford native Candida Rose Baptista, Councilor at-large Shane Burgo, Travis Rapoza, Rev. Laurie Smalls, Avamarie Khazan, and more.  Other highlights will include the announcement of the 2023 Creative Expression Winners in the Poetry, Art, and Essays categories.

All are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the MLK Planning Committee at (774) 271-4808 or through email at MLKCreativeExpression@newbedford-ma.gov.