Brooklyn Academy Of Music To Celebrate MLK Day With Free Public Events Ft. Keynote Speakers

Photos: Wikimedia Commons Brooklyn, NY/January 16, 2026 — BAM marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a full day of free public programs inviting Brooklyn to reflect on where we are, where we’ve been, and the work still ahead. The morning kicks off with the 40th Annual Tribute to Dr. King featuring a keynote by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, The Fire Ensemble led by Troy Anthony, and Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE. Additional events include a screening of Just Mercy, BAMkids family activities, and a newly added evening performance of The Drum Major Instinct—a dramatic reading of one of Dr. King’s most powerful sermons, co-presented with Theater of War Productions and featuring Jeffrey Wright, Zohran Mamdani, and others. 40th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 10:30 AM | Doors at 8:00 AM | Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Ave.) Free | First-come, first-seated This beloved tradition brings together artists, civic leaders, and community members for a free celebration of the life, mission, and radical spirit of Dr. King. Now in its 40th year, the city’s largest public MLK celebration features a keynote by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, founder of Repairers of the Breach and Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign. The program includes a solo performance by Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE and a powerful musical presentation by The Fire Ensemble, led by composer and creative director Troy Anthony. Remarks by local and national civic leaders. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-seated basis starting at 8AM in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House lobby. Newly Added Theater of War Productions and BAM Present The Drum Major Instinct A Dramatic Reading of the Sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Composed and Arranged by Phil Woodmore Directed by Bryan Doerries Featuring performances by Jeffrey Wright, Zohran Mamdani, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg, and Jumaane Williams. 7:00 PM | Doors at 6:15 PM | Tickets distributed beginning at 5:30 PM Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Ave.) Free | First-come, first-served In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a dramatic reading of Dr. King’s powerful 1968 sermon, The Drum Major Instinct, a powerful meditation on the human desire to be “first” and a call to lead lives of service, justice, and humility—serves as the springboard for a facilitated audience discussion on the enduring urgency of Dr. King’s message and ongoing relevance of his words today. Directed and facilitated by Bryan Doerries, co-facilitated by De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar, and accompanied by original and arranged music by Dr. Philip Woodmore, this powerful live performance also features a chorus of voices drawn from by a diverse choir made up of educators, activists, police officers, and members of the faith community. Music by The Phil Woodmore Singers, with Marcelle Davies-Lashley & Friends, and soloists De-Rance Blaylock, Duane Foster, John Leggette, and Daniel McRath. Registration does not guarantee a seat.  BAMkids Celebrates MLK Day: Nurturing the Seeds of Resilience 11:45 AM, 1:30 PM, & 3:00 PM | The Adam Space (BAMcafé  (30 Lafayette Ave.) Ages 6+ | Free with registration This joyful, hands-on family program invites children and caregivers to explore Dr. King’s legacy through creativity, movement, and collective storytelling. Curated in collaboration with the BAMkids Parent Advisory Circle, the sessions include: a movement session, a reflective letter-writing workshop, a lively educational game, and an ongoing visual art installation. Registration is required. Just Mercy Dir. Destin Daniel Cretton (2019, 137 min) 1PM  | BAM Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Ave.) Free (Tickets distributed first-come) Based on the bestselling memoir by civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy tells the powerful true story of a young lawyer who defends Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama. The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson, and shines a light on racial injustice in the American legal system. Tickets will be distributed first-come.