Chris Rock, Octavia Spencer, Michael B. Jordan and Harry Belafonte are among the Hollywood stars who will headline “MLK Now,” an event celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday afternoon at Riverside Church in New York’s Harlem.
Some of today’s leading actors and influencers will offer interpretations of Dr. King’s most well-known speeches at the event, which is being held at the church where King delivered his famous 1967 speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence.”
There will also be musical performances by India Arie and others, and the day will close with an interactive panel discussion addressing how Dr. King’s message can be applied to the pressing social issues of today including police violence, racial and social injustice, economic inequality and political mobilization.
Panelists will include “Creed” director Ryan Coogler, “Creed” actress Tessa Thompson, hip-hop artist J. Cole, Urban Cusp founder and publisher Rahiel Tesfamariam, Arab-American Association of New York executive director Linda Sarsour, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice executive director Dante Barry, filmmaker and Sakofa.org co-director Gina Belafonte and activist Leon Ford, Jr. The panel will be moderated by MSNBC National Reporter Trymaine Lee.
Broadway stars Lin Manuel Miranda and Anika Noni Rose will also be on hand, as will actor Andre Holland, actresses Condola Rashad, Adepero Oduye and others.
The celebration will be hosted by the Blackout for Human Rights and Campaign for Black Male Achievement organizations.
It will begin at 3 p.m. ET. There is no admission charge, but tickets are required. The doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and the celebration will be streamed live online.
For more information on the event, click here.