MLK Day 2024 at Harvey B. Gantt Center

MLK Day 2024 at Harvey B. Gantt Center

Monday, January 15, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Harvey B. Gantt Center
551 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Tickets: Free 

The Gantt’s MLK Day celebration is themed around “truth and reconciliation.” Celebrating the Harvey B. Gantt Center’s 50th year, the 2024 MLK Day programming will feature panel discussions, live music, dance performances, film screenings, and art workshops.

MLK Day will also be the last chance to view the exhibit, my Presence is Present, an exhibition that explores the African-American experiences of 20 contemporary artists growing up in the Carolinas. Also on view will be Kennedi Carter: Sight Unseen and Post-Traumatism: In Search of Freedom.

Schedule: 

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – March With Us: An Interactive Experience
Mecca of Digital Arts (MODA), 2nd Floor

An interactive installation that will transport guests back in time to join a march in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led by digital artist Alexander Newman Hall.

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Year of Service Initiative Station
3rd Floor Mezzanine

Learn about local organizations that are continuing Dr. King’s legacy in the community.

9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Our Friend, Martin (Animated Film)
Performance Suite, 2nd Floor

Screening of the animated film, Our Friend, Martin, featuring the voices of Angela Bassett, Danny Glover, and Whoopi Goldberg.

9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Music Theory for Families: Storytime and Activities
2nd Floor Lobby

An interactive performance and storytime led by artist and author Christopher Singleton.

10:30 pm – 12 p.m. – Civil Rights and Equity: Arts, Culture, and History
4th Floor

Levine Museum of the New South and The Gantt present a panel discussion that blends both organizations’ missions in arts, culture, and history.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Chris & Frankie Book Signing
Museum Store, 1st Floor

Purchase a copy of the children’s book Chris & Frankie and get it signed by the author, Christopher Singleton.

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Live Musical Performance with Isaiah Bell
2nd Floor Lobby

A performance by gospel singer-songwriter Isaiah Bell.

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Truth and Imagination: An MLK Day Theatre Workshop for Kids and Families 
Performance Suite, 2nd Floor

Explore the art of theatre and storytelling through engaging activities that celebrate the values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led by teaching artist and performer, Tiffany Bryant-Jackson.

12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Past & the Future: What is Our Collective Vision?
2nd Floor Lobby

Perspectives from some of the city’s elder leaders moderated by WBTV’s first Black reporter, Ken Koontz, featuring District 107 Representative Kelly Alexander, Jr., Charlotte’s first Black female firefighter Linda Lockhart, Ken Bridges (the son of T. Bridges, one of the first Black bus drivers), and Doris Boyd (longtime Gantt partner and community leader).

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Storytime Nook in the Museum Store
Museum Store, 1st Floor

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Community and Identity: Workshopping Your Activism
4th Floor

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – MLK’s Global Impact: Dance Performance
2nd Floor Lobby

Dance performances led by MufukaWorks Dance Company and Dances of India in partnership with Levine Museum of the New South.

2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Community Collage Drop-In Workshop
Performance Suite, 2nd Floor

Create an individual college installation during this drop-in art experience led by teaching artist and poet Shane Manier.

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.  – A Binding Truth: Screening and Talkback
4th Floor

A screening of the documentary A Binding Truth with an interactive panel featuring the film’s two subjects, Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick and H.D. Kirkpatrick.

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Conscious Sounds: Musical Performance
2nd Floor Lobby

A performance curated by musician and community leader Tim Scott with Eric Brice, Evan Brice, and CJ Mercer.

4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Beauty of Activisim: Drop-in Art Activity
Performance Suite, 2nd Floor

Create a keepsake with an oil pastel hands-on art workshop led by Dakotah Carter.

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