News Release

Gospel Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Exterior of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.

Gary Tarleton, NPS

News Release Date: January 17, 2020

Contact: Rebecca Karcher, [phone]

ATLANTA - Superintendent Judy Forte is pleased to announce that a free gospel tribute concert, honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. will take place at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The concert will feature an array of artists, honoring Dr. King's 91st birthday and the Civil Rights Movement, through music, song, dance and spoken word.

Along with commemorating Dr. King’s life and accomplishments, the concert will feature a reflection and conversation on the 400^th anniversary of the first landing of enslaved Africans to the English colony of Virginia on August 25, 1619. In August 2019, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park partnered with the African-American Panoramic Experience (Apex) Museum to remember the 400^th Anniversary with the unveiling of an exhibition entitled “400 Years” that features a life-size version of the “Door of No Return”. The introduction to this exhibition is located in the park’s Visitor Center and the full exhibit is inside the APEX museum at 135 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. The concert will provide an opportunity for visitors to remember and reflect on the horrific emotions felt by many enslaved Africans, as they have journeyed over four centuries and hopes as a people, past and present, for racial equity and healing, each of which are consequential works in progress and important in moving forward beyond 400 years.

The concert performers include Radio Hosts Minister Twanda Black from KISS 104 and Dr. K. Renee’ Robertson from WKZK 103.7 FM and 1600 AM.  The concert performers include, Grammy Nominated Artist Vernessa Mitchell, Brandon Gray from the Apollo Theater, Jarvis Wilson from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, minister, recording artist, and animated personality Phil Williams and featuring Tony Terry, the acclaimed actor, hit soul and R&B recording artist.

Superintendent Judy Forte states, “Dr. King’s calling as a pastor was central to his life and his Civil Rights advocacy, gospel music was a way to spread his message of equality and the beloved community. This year, we are honored to include programming during the concert that reflects on 400 years since slavery came to America. Dr. King’s struggles and triumphs are connected to the moment the first enslaved people arrived in what would become the United States.”