Washington National Cathedral

Hip Hop Poet Bomani “D’mite” Armah, The Wire Actor Anwan “Big G” Glover, Radio Personality Jeannie Jones Join Students as They Interpret King’s Vision in Today’s World

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On January 21, Washington National Cathedral and young people throughout the area will honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by asking, “What would Dr. King’s platform be for the next U.S. president?”

Local poet, performer and educator Bomani Armah will lead the multi-sensory, musical and energized celebration along with middle and high school students as they call for peace and justice in their communities and consider what Dr. King’s passions would be now.

“I’m looking forward to ‘edutaining’ the young people during the program on MLK day. We are anxious to make the fight for social justice alive and personal to a generation that often feels that Dr. King's dream is a subject for history books and not a living idea that they are a part of,” said Armah. “I'm always amazed to see the sense of empowerment that young people feel when artists, activists and educators are able to break down the mythical fourth wall that separates them from our society’s most revered figures. Through music, poetry and hip-hop we hope to show them that the best qualities that they see in Martin Luther King Jr. lie within them.”

Radio and television personalities Anwan “Big G” Glover and Jeannie Jones will also guide the event. Performances by Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir, Princess of Controversy, Lamont Carey, The Hueman Prophets and Tri-Flava are scheduled.

The celebration takes place in the Cathedral’s “crossing,” the same area where the Canterbury pulpit is located. Dr. King delivered the last Sunday sermon of his life from Canterbury pulpit on March 31, 1968. A memorial service was held in the Cathedral five days later.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of Dr. King’s death.

The 2–4 pm event is free and open to the public.

Bomani Armah works with students participating in Washington National Cathedral’s Scholar Program and The Education for Excellence Program (TEEP).

Washington National Cathedral is a church for national purposes called to embody God’s love and to welcome people of all faiths and none. A unique blend of the spiritual and the civic, this Episcopal cathedral is a voice of generous-spirited Christianity and a catalyst for reconciliation and interfaith dialogue to promote respect and understanding. We invite all people to share in our commitment to create a more hopeful and just world.

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SOURCE: Washington National Cathedral