More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March in San Antonio. This will be his first in-person march since his 2021 event was canceled due to the pandemic. The theme of this year’s march is “Together We Can Be the Dream”.
The march begins with a kickoff at the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy and concludes with a celebration at Pitman Sullivan Park. Celebrations include live music, health and wellness workshops, kids’ areas, and dining. t
Kick-off will take place at 10:00 am on Monday at 3501 Martin Luther King Dr. Academy. From there the march goes south to New He Braunfels Avenue and then down to Iowa Street and the park entrance. A free bus service to the march runs from Freeman Coliseum and St. Phillips College from 8am to 10am. Park return service is from 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
The march is a highlight of Dream Week, an extensive city-wide summit inspired by the achievements and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a mission to foster citizen and civic engagement. Highlights from this year’s event schedule include:
Opening ceremony breakfast: Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Dream Week opening ceremony. Mayor Ron Nirenberg, City Councilman Jalen McKee Rodriguez and DreamVoice President Shokare Nakpodia will also speak at the breakfast. Friday at 7:30 am, Jack Guenther Pavilion, Briscoe, 210 W. Market St. $65-$1,250, dreamweek.org.
Literature Summit: Established and emerging authors exhibit their work at this gathering, which aims to encourage literary education and engage with a diverse audience. 11:30am-1:30pm, Saturday, Magnolia Gardens, 2030 Main Ave $25, dreamweek.org.
Black History Day Party & River Tour: Learn about the influence of African Americans on San Antonio’s history on this river tour. Refreshments will be served at the starting location before guests board the boat for the tour. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum, 218 S. Presa St. $40, dreamweek.org.
“She is talking”: This panel discussion will explore wellness, mental health, and careers from the perspective of black women. The panel will be hosted by Michelle Rouche and Bonita Owens. Saturday, 1-3pm, Upstage Comedy Lounge, 4441 Walzem Road. $30, Facebook: @Upstagecomedy.
MLK5K: Wheatley’s Young Men’s Leadership Academy is hosting this 5K run to benefit the academy. Sunday at 9am, MLK Park, 3503 Martin Luther King Drive. $10, runsignup.com.
Dream Week Gallery Talk: Curator Regina Palm leads a discussion on artist Pierre Daura’s “Good Henry,” one of a series of portraits of black employees at the college where Pierre Daura taught in 1947. increase. 6 p.m. Tuesday, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave. Free-$5, samuseum.org.
Dream Week 2023 Awards Luncheon: DreamVoice recognizes and rewards local organizations and individuals who work to create an environment of racial equality. Rudy Garza, President and CEO of CPS Energy, and his Shokare Nakpodia, President of DreamVoice, will speak. January 20, 11:30 am, Texas Public Radio, 321 W. Commerce St. $65-$1,000, dreamsecured.org.
Naturally You Hair, Health and Beauty Expo: For more than five years, the expo has provided a forum for women of color to discuss health, beauty and fitness and support local women-owned businesses. This year’s workshop will include discussions on hair extensions and building an audience on social media. January 21st at 10am, St. Phillips College, 1801 Martin Luther King Drive. Free, dreamweek.org.
“Grow where planted”: Featuring Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, this interactive writing workshop will teach you how to write, store, and share stories with confidence, and how stories connect writers and readers to communities. January 21, 10:00 am; January 22, 2:00 pm, Carver Library, 3350 E. Commerce St. Free, saaacam.org.
For her: This happy hour celebrates the reopening of the For Her Empowerment Center, where community leaders share their efforts to create a space for women. January 26, 5:30-8:00 PM, Pho Ha Community Center, 8546 Broadway Suite 255. free, iamforher.org,
“Where do you go from here”: This book discussion examines the last book written by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community. January 28, 11:00 am, BiblioTech East, 1203 N. Walters St. Free, eventbrite.com
Mayor’s Ball: Mayor Rob Nirenberg will be the guest of honor at this upcoming DreamWeeks special. Entertainment includes his dance performances, his stand-up comedies, fashion shows, poetry readings, and music. January 28, 6:00 PM, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $150-$1,750, dreamsecured.org.
