If you didn’t have the pleasure of being in attendance or streaming #MLKNOW on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, you missed out on one potent gathering that started our year off just right. Check out some of the top moments below.
1. Chris Rock read James Baldwin’s 1963 “My Dungeon Shook.”
2. Harry Belafonte read Patrice Lumumba’s “Proclamation of Congolese Independence” Speech.
WeGotYou #NoAccident RT @yoyoitsflo: Hearing Harry Belafonte read Patrice Lumumba’s words is powerful. Glad this speech was featured #MLKNOW
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) January 18, 2016
3. Michael B. Jordan performed Fred Hampton’s “Power Anywhere There’s People.”
Michael B. Jordan just killed it. RIP Fred Hampton. #MLKNOW
— Corey Johnson (@coreymaurice) January 18, 2016
4. Anika Noni Rose performs “Be Free”, written by J. Cole
Anika Noni Rose is singing Be Free by J.Cole on his behalf because it was too tough for him… And she’s doing GREAT. #MLKNOW
— #Thabaè (@ThanaeThomas) January 18, 2016
5. Jussie Smollet sings a rendition of Billie Holiday’s bone chilling classic, “Strange Fruit”
After Chris Rock read James Baldwin, @JussieSmollett is singing “Strange Fruit.” I’ve never been to an event like this before. #MLKNOW
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 18, 2016
6. Ryan Coogler accidentally reveals J. Cole’s marriage to the world
J. Cole just got forced to admit that he’s married at #MLKNOW pic.twitter.com/qH301f8Txa
— Only Hip Hop Facts (@OnlyHipHopFacts) January 19, 2016
7. Adepero Oduyne read, and was overwhelmed by the words of Ida B. Wells’ “This Awful Slaughter.”
Adepero Oduye recites Ida Wells’ ‘This Awful Slaughter’ about Southern lynching at #MLKNOW pic.twitter.com/0kWEdeXPS8
— Richard A. Brown (@rabrown7) January 18, 2016
8. Bilal performed “All Matter” off of the album, “Airtight Revenge”
@Bilal singing a classic “All Matter” @UnitedBlackout#mlknow event #mlkdaypic.twitter.com/0GDgyxKEnj
— Kerri Schaffer (@IHeartKerri) January 18, 2016
9. Actress, Condola Rashad powerfully performs Shirley Chisholm’s “Presidential Campaign Announcement.”
“We have a vast potential that can and must be put to use.” -Shirley Chisholm (via @phloella) #MLKNOW pic.twitter.com/SIigBWwG2T
— #MLKNOW (@UnitedBlackout) January 18, 2016
10. The panelist discussion was lit.
Our esteemed panelists discuss what’s next for the movement! #MLKNOW pic.twitter.com/VBhJOmXkHC
— #MLKNOW (@UnitedBlackout) January 19, 2016
11. Octavia Spencer closed the event with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Been to the Mountaintop.”
Octavia Spencer is delivering Dr. King’s “Mountaintop” speech, the final one he gave before his murder. Utterly haunting, still. #MLKNOW
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 19, 2016
Shout out to everyone involved!
Photo: lipstickalley
