African American Museum celebrates MLK Weekend

This weekend, the African American Museum in Philadelphia will be offering some family-friendly programming for MLK Day. 

Taking place from Jan. 12 to 15, the activation this year will feature in-person activities that celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King with the theme of “Shifting the Cultural Climate.” 

“As one of the four signature events for our museum, MLK Weekend inspires us each year to bring a new spirit to the legacy of Rev. Dr. King,” said Dr. Ashley Jordan, AAMP President and CEO in a statement. “His values are forever, and can be applied to how we approach our everyday lives, even beyond this weekend of observation.”

Events taking place over the course of the weekend include reduced admission to the Museum where visitors can view their current exhibition “Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America“, performances by the Delaware-based DANCE4LIFE School of the Arts & Training Institute and its youth ensemble, and music by Destiny L Music, an international recording artist, singer, and songwriter, along with her touring band, the Chasing Dreams.

Monday, Jan. 15 holds the chance to enter into the Museum for free with a special visit from the Philly Phantic. As the release notes, throughout the day, AAMP will host two special discussions — one will explore Philadelphia’s remarkable civil rights history alongside MLK’s connections with the city, and the other, led by artist Amir Campbell, will encourage guests to use their creativity to describe what MLK’s legacy means to them.

The free museum day comes from Citizens Bank, and recently, Mid-Atlantic President Daniel K. Fitzpatrick provided the AAMP with $30,000 towards programming throughout the weekend. The release also noted that Citizens additionally presented the AAMP an original piece of art by Philadelphia artist Amir Campbell. The painting, entitled “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint,” is a portrait of Rev. Dr. King and it will be on display at the venue throughout MLK weekend.

“Citizens is thrilled to sponsor free admission at the museum for the past 17 years on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,” finishes Dan Fitzpatrick, President for Citizens’ Mid-Atlantic Region in another statement. 

“This year, we are also privileged to share the artwork of artist Amir “Amiracle” Campbell with AAMP and the Greater Philadelphia community. Art is one of the many ways we can inspire change and bring communities together – just as Dr. King taught us in his teachings of freedom, hope, and love.”

A full list of the AAMP’s MLK Day programming is available at aampmuseum.org