Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Gantt Center: Designing the Future

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is presenting an event for MLK Day on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It takes place at the Gantt Center, 511 South Tryon Street, Charlotte.

MLK Day 2025: Designing the Future is a free event for all ages.

MLK Day 2025: Designing the Future invites all to creatively envision a more equitable and sustainable future, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Floyd McKissick, Sr., and his ambitious vision for Soul City, NC. McKissick, a North Carolina native, attorney, and civil rights leader, sought to create a thriving, self-sustaining community that would provide equal opportunity for Black Americans during the 1970s. This year’s MLK Day celebration honors the themes of this home-state hero’s visionary work and explores its impact through a series of art workshops, performances, thought-provoking discussions, and more.

Gantt Center

Schedule

9:15 am – 10:30 am
Our Friend, Martin: Animated Film
A film about two middle school friends who travel through time, meeting Rev. Dr. King at different points in his life. A crowd-favorite, this film features an all-star voice cast, including Angela Bassett, Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, and more.

9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Dreaming in Color: Drop-in Art Activity
Guests create unique artwork of dreams for a brighter future, using mixed media and MLK silhouette cutouts

9:00 am – 5:00 pm
MLK Coloring Station
For children of all ages! Use crayons, markers, and colored pencils to bring to life an assortment of creative coloring sheets, all themed for MLK Day.

10:00 am – 11:30 am Premier Event
Soul City: Reimagining the Black American Dream
An engaging panel discussion centered on (Charlotte native) Thomas Healy’s book, Soul City: Race, Equality, and the Lost Dream of an American Utopia, which chronicles civil rights leader Floyd McKissick’s ambitious endeavor to build a Black-led city in North Carolina during the 1970s. Moderated by Dr. Amy Carleton, the conversation will feature insights from author Thomas Healy, former Charlotte Mayor Harvey B. Gantt, and Commissioner Floyd McKissick, Jr. Together, they will explore the challenges and triumphs of this visionary project, examining its implications for contemporary movements toward racial equality and economic justice.

10:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm
Docent-Guided Tours
Guests will learn about the Gantt’s history, the building, and exhibitions.

11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Vision in Motion: Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy Through Technology & Art (MODA)
A dynamic fusion of art and technology as we honor Dr. King’s legacy through an interactive AR and motion design experience created by artist and designer, Marcus Kiser.

11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Performance & Talkback with Three Bone Theatre
Local theater company Three Bone Theatre presents scene performances from a collection of plays, allowing guests to explore themes of legacy and innovation from the foundations of Dr. King’s philosophies.

11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Youtopia Writing Workshop with Natasha Gordon
Inspired by Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, guests will write poems or short stories based on their interpretation of utopia.

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Premier Event
The Future of Equitable Housing
The themes of this panel collectively explore and plan a future that is comprehensively based on sustainable housing equity. It includes leaders diversely dedicated to improving housing equity, highlighting their vision for housing in the city. The panel is moderated by CrossRoads Corporation’s Executive Director, Tiffany Capers. The panelists include Dionne Nelson, Founder and CEO of Laurel Street, Kris Fountain, Family Services Vice President of Habitat Charlotte Region, Tonya Jameson, Leading on Opportunity’s Director of Civic Engagement, and Charis Blackmon, Executive Director of West Side CLT.

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Printing the Dream with MacFly Fresh
Guests will learn about the screen printing process with MacFly Fresh Printing Co and walk away with a print to take home with MLK Day designs.

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
UNC Charlotte Chorale
The university’s 46-member chorale presents live collective vocal stylings of lyrics and sounds that reflect the complexity of the Civil Rights Movement and the legacy of Dr. King.

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Family Vision Board Collages with Tiya Caniel
Guests enjoy a 2025 vision board collage workshop, a hands-on craft for the whole family.

2:30 – 4:00 pm Premier Event
City of Hip Hop: Beats, Rhythms, and Urban Evolution
Legendary turntablist DJ Rob Swift and Professor Rasul Mowatt (NC State) visit the Gantt for an interactive conversation about their new book The City of Hip-Hop: New York City, The Bronx, and a Peace Meeting. Learn about the dynamic fusion of music, culture, and urban development that gave rise to as they discuss hip-hop’s profound impact on city landscapes and its role as a catalyst for social change. Their conversation will explore the genre’s roots, evolution, and enduring influence on communities worldwide.

4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra Performance
A special string duo showcasing the talent of CSYO – our city’s youth symphony – and the diversity reflected in Rev. Dr. King’s dream. Violin duet by Joy Ni and Neil Zhu.

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Dreaming in Color: Drop-in Art Activity
Guests create unique artwork representing dreams for a brighter future, using mixed media and MLK silhouette cutouts.

4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
MLK Jazz Ensemble
A lively jazz band curated by composer and drummer Tim Scott, specially designed to close out the day’s celebration.

Learn about all the other MLK Day events in the Charlotte area.

 

More MLK Day Events

Check out our list of MLK Day events in the Charlotte area or look at a few of them here, as they are added: