Rick Ross Honored With Key To The City Of Miami, But Urges Memphis To ‘Put The Guns Down’
Rick Ross touched down in his hometown in Miami to accept the key to the city and used the opportunity to encourage his brothers in Memphis to “put the guns down.”
Rick Ross touched down in his hometown in Miami to accept the keys to the city and used the opportunity to encourage his brothers in Memphis to “put the guns down.”
The “Hustlin” rapper was honored at the 5000 Role Models’ Dr. MLK Jr. Scholarship Breakfast in Miami on Monday, receiving the key to the City of Miami from Mayor Francis Suarez and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, TMZreports.
“I just want the youngsters to know, you have the attention of the entire world. You can never imagine the value that you actually carry. You can never imagine how much you’re really worth,” Ross said, as captured by KTVZ.
“I’m headed to an event titled ‘5000 Role Models’ where we acknowledging the young leaders, the young kings, our young brothers. We gotta empower the brothers,” he says to the camera.
“And while I’m speaking on this, our brothers in Memphis, I need y’all to know it’s only one way to wisdom and wealth, and that’s through each other.”
Ross continued. “Put the ski mask down. Put the guns down. Let’s embrace each other. Let’s show that love. Rest in peace to all our good brothers, man.”
His message came just days after Yo Gotti’s brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, was fatally shot outside a restaurant in Memphis, Fox 13 Memphis reports. Police believe the shooting was a targeted attack.
Ross’ message to the city of Memphis appears to be in response to Jook’s murder. Ross later attended the 31st annual 5000 Role Models event on MLK Day, which honors the partnership between local men in the community and the young male students within the Miami-Dade and Broward County schools.
All the men in attendance at 5000 Role Models, which was founded by Congresswoman Wilson, wore red ties and held hands to symbolize their solidarity to amplify the next generation of male leaders.
“This benefits young men by raising funds to send them to college; it also validates why they had to struggle to get to this place. It’s not easy being a boy in America today, especially a little Black boy,” said Wilson.
The money raised at the breakfast helps Wilson Scholars seniors, all college-bound.
It was August 2023 when the disgraced singer lost a $10.5 million lawsuit filed by six women who appeared in the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries and claimed to face death threats for hosting a December 2018 screening of the docuseries in New York City, TMZ reports. The women sued Kelly, real name Robert Kelly, and his former manager, Donnell Russell, claiming they were behind the mass shooting threats to shut down the screening.
However, Kelly is attempting to fight the lawsuit since he allegedly had no idea it occurred. According to the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer, he would’ve defended himself against the lawsuit’s claims if he’d known about it.
With Kelly behind bars serving his 30-year sentence in North Carolina’s Butner Federal Prison, the singer says he is in over his head with criminal cases and finding it hard to keep up with everything.
The “I Wish” singer also notes the change in legal representation since he’s been locked up and believes the $10.5 million lawsuit must’ve slipped through the cracks or failed to be delivered to his jail cell.
If Kelly did perhaps receive the lawsuit, he would’ve needed his lawyers to read it to him since “I cannot read or understand words beyond that of a grade schooler,” he notes.
The Grammy Award-winning singer also claims Russell was never his manager and had no idea he was trying to shut down the NYC screening.
If Russell did make a mass shooting threat to shut down the screening, “he did that for his own reasons,” Kelly claims.
There is no word on whether a judge will reconsider the August ruling and prevent the six women from being awarded the $10.5 million.
Kick Off The New Year With A Fete At St. Croix Christmas Carnival
The Crucian Christmas Festival has been a treasured tradition since the 1800s. Here's why you should add it to your travel plans.
The New Year celebrations shouldn’t stop on New Year’s Eve. You can keep the party going into the first week of January, all while enjoying the beautiful blue skies and waters during the height of the winter season.
The Caribbean is known for celebrating Black excellence all year long, especially during its variety of Carnivals hosted in countries throughout the West Indies. St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands is among the Caribbean islands that hold its annual carnival right at the start of the new year.
Dubbed the Crucian Christmas Festival, the nearly two-week-long event runs from Dec. 26, 2023, through Jan. 6, 2024. The holiday carnival has been a treasured tradition since the 1800s when enslaved Africans were given time off to celebrate Christmas. They would dress up in homemade costumes and dance through the streets.
The carnival takes place on the 1st Friday and Saturday of the New Year, with the Children’s Parade taking place this year on Friday, Jan. 5, and the Adults Parade being held on Saturday, Jan. 6.
Among the events leading up to the big carnival day included seven days of free concerts featuring top local and international acts, including Cool Session, Charlie Aponte, Destra, Nadia Batson, Adam O, Capleton, Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah, Karnage, and Dexta Daps. Organized by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals, this year’s event included beloved cultural events featuring the Prince, Princess, Dutch, and Duchess Show, Queen Pageant, and Soca Monarch. The Division of Festivals also hosted the first-ever Kid Ville event, celebrating the island’s youngest residents.
The annual Food Fair at the Frederiksted Pier showcased the vibrant flavors of Crucian cuisine, featuring a range of delights from patties to seafood. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in the highly competitive “war of tarts” and cast their votes for the best among coconut, pineapple, and guava varieties.
From Thursday to Saturday, the streets of Frederiksted came alive with local and visiting pleasure seekers enjoying J’ouvert, the Children’s Parade, and the Adult Parade. The record number of attendees and participants adorned in culturally significant and elaborate costumes celebrated the rich Caribbean heritage of the island.
“This year’s Crucian Christmas Festival marked the conclusion of a remarkable 2023 for our territory and heralded the beginning of 2024 as a year destined for further advancements in destination appeal,” Joseph Boschulte, commissioner of Tourism said.
A post-parade fireworks display concluded the 12-day celebration, followed by Uber Soca Night at the Frederiksted Village with performances by international Afro Beats star Davido and Caribbean Music Awards Soca Performer of the Year, Mr. Killa.
“This year’s Crucian Christmas Festival showcased the rich and abundant culture of St. Croix, spanning from pageants to the food fair, J’ouvert to the parades,” Ian Turnbull, director of Festivals, said.
Navigating DEI Challenges: Addressing Complaints And Lawsuits In The Pursuit Of Racial Equality
Society must examine whether these legal challenges are initiated in good faith or potentially launched in bad faith.
Written By Tianna Green
Amidst the recent lawsuits targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in businesses and companies, society must examine whether these legal challenges are initiated in good faith or potentially launched in bad faith. Such actions might aim to distort genuine efforts, misconstrue the purpose, and unfairly vilify a function that inherently provides universal benefits for everyone.
Understanding the Historical Context and Legal Landscape in Navigating DEI Challenges
Just months after the overturning of affirmative action, the impact on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in business has been significant, leading some businesses or companies to face legal challenges against their commitment to fostering diversity.
“Essentially what people are doing is using the overturning of affirmative action within the higher education context as a veil to criticize and attack D.E.I efforts when these are separate institutions, sitting in different spheres of society, governed by different laws and rules,” said Shane Lloyd, chief diversity officer at Baker Tilly US.
DEI is commonly reduced to affirmative action, recruiting, and mentorship or sponsorship programs when it is a comprehensive and evolving framework. Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our society involves sourcing, attracting, obtaining, developing, promoting, advancing, and compensating individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented.
In 2020, many companies expressed a desire to combat systemic racism in the wake of the tragic killing of George Floyd. They rallied around supporting Black talent, making proclamations, and pledging to fight against systemic racism.
Frankly, numerous companies have only recently embarked on their journeys within DEI.
Despite the fight for civil rights spanning over 60 years, systemic racism remains a longstanding global issue. Initiatives undertaken by these companies aim to address some of the problems in corporate America.
Given that many of these companies are in the early stages of their journey, it is improbable that they wouldn’t encounter legal trouble. The majority of lawsuits are initiated against major or well-known companies. However, this does not imply that smaller companies are immune to risks; it pertains more to the broader context. Legal challenges against major companies serve as a bellwether for smaller and middle-market companies.
Unveiling Economic Impact and Shaping the Future of Corporate Racial Equality
Understanding how companies or businesses handle a lawsuit if faced with one, will significantly impact various aspects. Businesses must approach such situations thoughtfully, remain vigilant, and follow a well-considered and thorough process. Operating any business inherently involves a degree of risk.
The unfortunate reality is that the fear of lawsuits may result in significant pushback and long-term effects within the DEI realm. Some businesses may become less bold or courageous in their initiatives, leading to potential rollbacks in funding, budget constraints, and even the possibility of laying off entire teams. While these outcomes are not guaranteed, they are potential consequences in worst-case scenarios.
Individuals must recognize that DEI initiatives and teams are particularly vital during times of polarization. In a world characterized by polarization, fragility, anxiety, nonlinearity, and isolation, having compassionate and inclusive business leaders is crucial. DEI functions play a significant role in supporting these leaders and addressing the complexities that many find challenging to articulate.
Understanding How Legal Challenges Might Shape the Black Community and Impact Black Entrepreneurs
Historically, the Black community in the United States has faced recurring setbacks and rollbacks, with the experience often characterized by taking two steps forward and 10 steps back. While this pattern is unfortunately familiar, it shouldn’t be accepted. Breaking this cycle is precisely what DEI efforts aim to achieve.
Examining the mindsets of those opposing DEI initiatives reveals that many anti-DEI or conservative activists erroneously believe that addressing race is unjust. The issue, however, lies not in discussing race but in addressing the discrimination that exists. Race must be a part of the conversation.
Balancing Corporate Compliance and Fostering an Inclusive Workplace Environment
In this critical period, gaining a deeper understanding of inclusion and diversity is essential for the success of businesses and companies. Navigating these newer paradoxes is crucial for business leaders as the world struggles with various inclusion challenges.
This necessitates a reexamination of the traditions and norms ingrained in these companies’ identities. Balancing the need to address resistance and backlash while fostering an inclusive space requires thoughtful consideration. Providing education around DEI becomes paramount, particularly when striving to level the playing field that has historically been lopsided for certain communities.
“Some individuals, due to their identities, may be on a rocket ship of career trajectory, while others are having to climb mountains without equipment,” Lloyd said. This underscores the disparities that exist and the importance of considering how DEI efforts support individuals in majority groups rather than taking them away from them.
To truly address systemic issues, the goal of DEI work is to implement systemic interventions. While institutions today may not be as overtly prejudiced as in the past, issues persist, in different forms. Recognizing and addressing these challenges are crucial steps toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable corporate landscape.
Tianna Green is a junior majoring in Media, Broadcast, and Journalism with a minor in Political Science at Howard University. She has a strong passion for telling BIPOC stories, particularly those within the Black community and dispelling media-driven misconceptions.
April Showers Breaks Barriers, First Black Woman-Owned Brand To Secure Licensing With Retail Powerhouse
With the recent launch of haircare line, Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses, founder April Showers is taking over.
With the recent launch of haircare line Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses, founderApril Showers is taking over retailers and defying the odds one product at a time.
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, few stories capture the essence of resilience, representation, and empowerment as vividly as that of April Showers, the visionary founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn. Celebrated as a children’s lifestyle brand created to remind children of color how unique, divine, and magical they truly are, Afro Unicorn and April showers continue to break barriers, but this is only the beginning.
Renowned for her keen eye in identifying gaps in retail representation, Showers founded Afro Unicorn to ensure Black girls and women feel unique, divine, and magical. Embarking on her entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of 19, Showers was driven by a specific vision for herself and a determination to dream big. She shares, “I’ve always known I was going to live an extraordinary life.”
Navigating the challenges of single motherhood, April’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish multiplebusinesses,two of which are still up and running today.
The idea for Afro Unicorn was born out of April’s desire to provide representation for children of color through a symbol of magic, uniqueness, and empowerment.What began as a simple compliment from a friend, blossomed into a viral TikTokvideo featuring a 6-year-old girl proudly flaunting her afro. The video catapulted Afro Unicorn into the spotlight, transforming it into a household brand with a loyal customer base nationwide.
April’s story has resonated not only with consumers but with influential figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, and Tiffany Haddish. Afro Unicorn stands at the forefront of positive change, embodying resilience, representation, and empowerment.
The brand proudly shares shelf space with iconic brands like Marvel and Disney princesses. It is now available in over 3,500 stores nationwide, including Walmart and CVS. Today, April is the first Black woman to own a licensed character in a major retail store.
In 2023, April took Afro Unicorn to new heights by venturing into the haircare category with the launch of Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses. Partnering with Magical Beauty, its first black-owned global licensing partner, Magical Tresses offers a unique haircare experience that celebrates all textures and tresses.
Born out of love and respect for every hair texture out there, the haircare brand recognized the need for haircare that was both inclusive and magical.
Cruelty-free and free from harsh ingredients, the six-product line features Never a Knot Detangling Shampoo; 1-2-3 Wishes Silky Conditioner; Freezie Free & Shine Curl Refresher; Sparkle Bright Edges & More; Bye Bye Dry Scalp Serum; and Swirls & Twirls Curl Cream. All boast a delightful, fruity fragrance that appeals to the entire family. The brand began with a simple mission: to create a line of products that would make every curl, kink, wave, and strand feel loved and build confidence with girls everywhere.
The clean formulations of Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses are kid-friendly, mother-approved, and feature rainbow superfruit-infused ingredients.
Building on the brand’s momentum, Afro Unicorn will entering Target in 2024, a significant milestone for April Showers as Afro Unicorn continues to join the ranks of retail giants.
April Showers and Afro Unicorn have crafted a remarkable narrative of triumph over adversity, entrepreneurial success, and a commitment to positive change. The expansion into the haircare category and Target in 2024 solidifies Afro Unicorn’s place as a trailblazer in the industry.
As April continues to inspire with her vision and Afro Unicorn’s empowering message, the brand’s journey remains a beacon of hope and representation for generations to come.
Trump’s Iowa Caucus Victory Proves ‘Make America Great Again’ Still Alive And Well
Oh God....
It was a cold night in Iowa on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, but the polls were heating up for Donald Trump and his supporters.
The former President walked away a winner during the Iowa Caucus on Jan. 15, The Associated Press reported, moving closer to the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. During the lowest turned-out caucus in 25 years, Trump managed to reign supreme with a close-to-30-point win, passing Bob Dole’s historic 13-point win in 1988.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis finished second, leaving former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley trailing in third. With the competition shrinking, outspoken conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy ended his campaign after finishing in fourth place – eventually endorsing Trump – but not before claiming serious worry for this country. “There’s no path for me to be the next president absent things that we don’t want to see happen in this country,” he said.
“I am very worried for our country. I think we are skating on thin ice as a nation.”
Vivek Ramaswamy announces he's suspending his presidential campaign because "there's no path for me to be the next president absent things that we don't want to see happen in this country."
But Trump was singing a different tune after his victory. During his speech, the four-time indicted businessman spoke of his hope for unity if he were to get re-elected. “We want to come together, whether it’s Republican or Democrat or liberal or conservative,” Trump said. “We’re going to come together. It’s going to happen soon.”
President Joe Biden caught wind of Trump’s historic win, taking the opportunity to push for support of his campaign on Twitter. “Looks like Donald Trump just won Iowa. He’s the clear front runner on the other side at this point,” Biden tweeted. “But here’s the thing: this election was always going to be you and me vs. extreme MAGA Republicans. It was true yesterday, and it’ll be true tomorrow.”
Looks like Donald Trump just won Iowa. He’s the clear front runner on the other side at this point.
But here’s the thing: this election was always going to be you and me vs. extreme MAGA Republicans. It was true yesterday and it’ll be true tomorrow.
For the runner-ups, all hope isn’t lost. DeSantis is visiting South Carolina before making his way to New Hampshire in hopes of keeping the conservative stronghold. “Because of your support, in spite of all of what they threw at us, we got our ticket punched out of Iowa,” DeSantis told supporters. Meanwhile, Haley’s focus is already in New Hampshire, as, according to CNN, independent and undecided voters may be her last chance at securing the nomination over Trump.
Atlanta Fed Chair Raphael Bostic Cautions Against Rapid Rate Cuts, Warns Of Inflation ‘See-Saw’
Bostic also ceded that even though price points have fallen faster than he thought, inflation would still be around 2.5% by the end of 2024.
Atlanta Fed chair Raphael Bostic is warning that inflation could “see-saw” if rates are cut too quickly.
The Financial Times reports that ahead of a December CPI reading, Bostic expects “to see much slower progression of inflation moving forward” before warning that there are “some risks that inflation may stall out altogether.”
Bostic added that even though price points have fallen faster than he thought, inflation would still be around 2.5% by the end of 2024 and wouldn’t hit the Fed’s goal until 2025.
“Inflation must be firmly and surely getting back to our 2 percent target. It would be a bad outcome if we started to ease and inflation started to rise up and down like a see-saw,” Bostic said. “That would undermine people’s confidence in where the economy is going.”
Bostic spoke to the inclination of investors to believe that the markets will stabilize faster than he does, saying that the Fed’s projections have been clear and consistent.
Bostic also connected the attacks on vessels in the Suez Canal by Houthi rebels to the rising costs of shipping. “It will be very interesting to see to what extent the Middle East conflict and attacks on the container ships is starting to show up in the cost structure for businesses in my district.”
Bostic believes that the labor market is still too strong for the Fed to shift its focus from inflation to job creation, saying, “If we look at our employment mandate, we’re hitting that very firmly today.”
“But that is not the case for price stability,” he added. “There are signs underneath the hood that some segments of the economy have weakened.”
Bostic also rebuffed an argument from some that the Fed needs to be cautious about any spikes in the market created by debt issued from the United States government.
“Today, we haven’t really seen any movements in money markets that suggests we’re close to a scenario where we don’t have ample reserves any more,” he said. “Clearly at some point, there’s going to be a signal that we’re going to get closer to that threshold, and we’re going to have to do some thinking.”
Congressional Black Caucus Supports Defense Secretary Despite Calls For Resignation
The cohort of Black lawmakers deemed these calls for Austin's resignation as "rushed judgements" on his capacity to fulfill his duties.
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is lending its support for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, who has been urged to resign after failing to notify the White House and senior-level government officials of his hospitalization.
The Jan. 11 statement from the cohort of Black lawmakers deemed these calls for resignation hasty.
“The CBC fully supports Secretary Austin remaining in his role, and we strongly push back against efforts to politicize a deeply personal and private health diagnosis,” said CBC Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV). “We can all certainly provide some level of privacy in the initial aftermath of a cancer diagnosis, and we encourage others towards decency in this moment…Calls for Secretary Austin to resign or face impeachment proceedings are rushed judgments.”
The statement noted how prostate cancer disproportionately impacts Black men, wishing Austin a “full and speedy recovery” as he deals with the systemic health problem,
According to TheGrio, Austin underwent surgery on Dec. 22 and returned to Reed National Military Medical Center Jan 1. due to complications. After lawmakers were made aware of his serious hospital stay on Jan. 4, some, including Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), urged Austin to step down for his negligence in informing the proper individuals.
I have lost trust in Secretary Lloyd Austin’s leadership of the Defense Department due to the lack of transparency about his recent medical treatment and its impact on the continuity of the chain of command.
However, other lawmakers, including Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD), and the CBC, have implored their fellow politicians not to lean into pushing Austin out over such a sensitive matter.
“A higher standard does exist for public officials, for which Secretary Austin and the DoD have stated that the Secretary’s hospitalization could have been communicated sooner,” Horsford said in a statement.
Reading, MA, Debates Honoring Bill Russell As Racist Past Haunts Town
When Russell and his family lived in the small town as the only Black family, they experienced numerous racist attacks.
Reading, MA-based nonprofit CATO (The Coalition of Us) is pushing the town to confront its racist past as its advocates to commemorate late NBA legend Bill Russell’s time in the Boston suburb.
Russell, who died July 31, 2022, and his family experienced numerous racist attacks when they were town’s lone Black family.
In May 1963, when the town promised to formally establish a Bill Russell Day in order to celebrate and honor the Boston Celtics center, residents reacted by petitioning to block the Russells’ attempt to move into an affluent area of the city. When the team went on road trips, Russell would often return to find his trash cans knocked over. Police attributed these incidents to raccoons.
In 1987, Russell’s daughter Karen wrote an op-ed for TheNew York Times describing the now infamous 1963 break-in that resulted in a racial epithet being spray painted on the wall of their home.
“Our house was in shambles,” she wrote. “They had broken into my father’s trophy case and smashed most of the trophies. I was petrified and shocked at the mess; everyone was very upset.” Adding a layer to the violation, she said that toward the end of the day, her parents discovered the burglars had defecated on their bed.
Boston native and ESPNwriter Howard Bryant told WBUR that the incident was what pushed Russell out of Reading.
“That was something barbaric,” Bryant explained. “Bill Russell left Reading in his rear-view mirror. He didn’t ask anything of them. He didn’t need anything from that town or from the people who were there, from the people who did the things to him.”
Following Russell’s death, the Reading Select Board again passed a proclamation similar in tone to the one in 1963, seeking to honor the late Celtics great’s accomplishments both as an athlete and a civil rights figure.
This time, Philmore Phillip and CATO are pushing the city to not only recognize Russell, but the treatment he received in Reading.
“It’s not fair of him and his family to be celebrated for his accomplishments, without acknowledging what he dealt with in this town,” Phillip said. “We can revisit so many events and relive them. But when it comes to Black history, we can’t acknowledge them, and that’s unfortunate.”
Reading’s attempts at keeping the remembrance focused on Russell, who won 11 championships with the Celtics, and have turned the discussion into a referendum on racism in the city. At a public forum earlier in January, Philip said the city’s attempts to honor Russell could supplement the lackluster education around Black history in the city’s school system.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to learn about a lot of Black figures in my academic career growing up in Reading,” Phillip said. “This proclamation is a start in the right direction in order to fix these issues in Reading.”
In February, the town’s board will vote on forming a committee to plan Bill Russell Day. If it passes by majority vote, a new committee will plan the day honoring Bill Russell in 2024.
Board member Carlo Bacci believes the focus is best left on Bill Russell as an athlete and not anything related to race or civil rights.
“We don’t need a committee for that,” Bacci said, speaking via a video link in response to Phillip’s comments. “We’re talking about civil rights, we’re talking about people, we’re talking about human rights. I mean, if we need a committee for that, we need a committee for a lot of other things.”
“I think that throwing it out there and saying, ‘We don’t have an opportunity to do it,’ is a cop-out,” CATO member and Reading resident Sherilla Lestrade responded. “And I’m tired of cop-outs.”
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: MLK Day Of Service Inspires Community Upliftment
MLK Day of Service will feature people across the nation and the world volunteering to better their communities.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy of civil rights and social justice are honored worldwide on the day named in his honor. MLK Day of Service is a call to action for many service organizations to continue working in the shared mission of communal upliftment.
Although established federally in 1986, the holiday only became upheld in all 50 states in 2000, according to USA Today.
Following King’s assassination in 1968, Congressman John Conyers, who helped to establish the Congressional Black Caucus, fought for 15 years to mark a day to honor the civil rights icon. The holiday has since emerged as something that recognizes King’s efforts in racial justice and for individuals and groups to better their communities through service.
One organization taking part in the charitable festivities is the Rho Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The organization, part of the cohort of nine African American collegiate sororities and fraternities, is beautifying the Sojourner Truth and Perry Street Prep Public charter schools in northeast Washington, D.C.
According to WTOP News, they are also taking donations to support the students and faculty at the educational centers.
“Volunteers will write encouraging notes to teachers who oftentimes need uplift in the serious work they do to educate our children,” said Elicia Pegues-Spearman, director of the North Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Pegues-Spearman added that this day is also to support initiatives under attack, such as education and reproductive justice.
The King Center in Atlanta will also host in-person ceremonies and events to honor King. This year’s theme is “It Starts With Me: Shifting The Cultural Climate Through The Study And Practice Of Kingian Nonviolence.” A service will be held at the famed Ebenezer Baptist Church Jan. 15, King’s actual birthday, and streamed live for national viewing.
