ST. LOUIS – Americans nationwide paused to reflect on the indelible influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as communities honored his vision of equality and service. On Monday, communities across St. Louis came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with events like those at the Missouri History Museum.
More than 1,500 citizens attended the MLK Community Celebration, honoring King’s legacy with storytelling, workshops, and hands-on activities designed to educate and inspire.
“The kids learned a lot about MLK and his impact on our country and some of the great things he did,” parent Matt Hiatt said.
“We went to Mama Lisa’s story time. I learned a dance, song, and a chant,” Amia Shine said.
“I got to see a little interaction of how it would be if she were to do the march with Martin Luther King and I also learned about A. Phillip Randolph and how he was an activist,” parent Chelsea Snodgrass said.
Throughout the day, attendees reflected on King’s influence and the lessons his movement still teaches today.
“His impact gave everyone rights in a way we would not have without him. It impacted the women’s rights movement [and] the disabilities rights movement. Despite his identity, his message and his movement have made all of our lives better,” Julia Clark, the Missouri History Museum’s African American History Initiative specialist, said.
Attendees ended the day with a MLK Day yoga class inspired by nonviolence, a central principle of Dr. King’s beliefs.
“His legacy lives on in each and every one of us. And any of the things he was fighting for. We continue to fight for today,” Clark said. “So, it’s also important to recognize him as a part of history but not that his movement is history because it lives within us as well.”
As celebrations came to a close, several participants shared how Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire action and unity in St. Louis and beyond.