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Fifty-seven years after Dr. King asked 'Where Do We Go From Here?', his question still demands answers. This January at DC Public Library, four evenings offer fresh responses: from Martin Luther King III's intimate family stories, to AfroBlue's jazz interpretations of Dr. King's words, to award-winning authors M.K. Asante and Imani Perry's explorations of how civil rights ideals transform through generations.
Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King open a week of powerful programming at DC Public Library with never-before-shared family stories and a blueprint for building on Dr. King's vision. In their January 14 conversation with CNN senior legal analyst Laura Coates, they introduce the concept of "Living Legacy," drawing from neuroscience and psychology to show how small daily actions create lasting change.
The following evening, January 15, Howard University's premier vocal jazz ensemble AfroBlue presents an innovative interpretation of Dr. King's final manuscript, "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?" The ensemble, celebrated for appearances on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts and NBC's The Sing-Off, creates intricate harmonies that connect King's call for unity to modern audiences through a blend of jazz, gospel, and contemporary sounds.
Later in the month, two more distinguished authors bring their explorations of family and cultural inheritance to the Library. Award-winning filmmaker M.K. Asante joins cultural curator Mocha Ochoa on January 29 to discuss "Nephew: A Memoir in 4-Part Harmony." Written as urgent letters to his nephew who survived being shot nine times in Philadelphia, Asante's work follows James Baldwin's tradition of intimate family correspondence, revealing how three generations transformed trauma into art through hip-hop lyrics.
MacArthur Fellow Imani Perry and The Atlantic staff writer Clint Smith conclude the month's programming on January 30 with a discussion of Perry's "Black in Blues." From West African indigo trades to Louis Armstrong's music, Perry traces how the color blue has shaped Black identity across centuries. Smith, whose "How the Word Is Passed" won the National Book Critics Circle Award, guides this exploration of cultural inheritance through art, commerce, and song.
All events will be held at 901 G Street NW. Registration is required. The programs are made possible with support from the DC Public Library Foundation.