Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy through Community Support

Every third Monday of January, the United States observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday to honor the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In Boulder, the city provides funding through the Human Relations Fund and Office of Arts and Culture to support organizations that honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and explore his work in the context of the Boulder community.

• Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, from 12 – 9 p.m. at Mi Chantli located at 1750 30th St, Unit 22, Boulder, CO 80301. Freed by The Hum of The Drum.

  • By forming new partnerships, Mi Chantli hopes to bring new audiences to their space while demonstrating their love and appreciation for Black culture. This event will be a celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by activating the Mi Chantli space with Black music, history and culture. Learn more on the Mi Chantli website.

• Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, from 3 – 5 p.m. at Boulder Jewish Community Center located at 6007 Oreg Ave, Boulder, CO 80303. Fanning the Flames of the Dream.

  • The 19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2024 Boulder County Community Celebrations presented by the NAACP Boulder Branch, Second Baptist Church and the Museum of Boulder. The program will feature music, dance, and spoken word by talented youth and area performers. Reserve your free tickets on Eventbrite.

• Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Gordan Gamm Theater at the Dairy Arts Center located at 2590 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302. Dr. King Jr. And the Radical Roots at the Heart of Justice.

  • Motus Theater’s 2nd Annual arts-based event inspiring action in alignment with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with musical guests The ReMINDers, the Director of the Center for African and African American Studies Dr. Reiland Rabaka, as well as performances by Motus monologists Candice Bailey and Jahmil Roberts. Learn more and reserve your free tickets on the Dairy’s website.

• Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at University Memorial Center, Glenn Miller Ballroom located at 1669 Euclid Ave, Boulder CO 80309. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Convocation 2024.

  • Open to all students, staff, faculty and Boulder community members to remember the legacy of the acclaimed civil rights leader. Sponsored by the Center for African & African American Studies (the CAAAS) and the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. View CU's save the date flyer.

Our beloved city is not exempt from Human Rights violations. Fortunately, in 1972, Boulder City Council enacted the Human Rights Ordinance to create prompt, local protection and for classes not protected at the state or federal levels, such as sexual orientation, gender variance and genetic characteristics.

The purpose of the Human Rights Ordinance is to protect against discrimination in Boulder and assist people who experienced discriminated in three areas:

• Housing

• Employment

• Public accommodation in places such as stores, restaurants, health clubs and movie theaters

Within these areas, the ordinance prohibits discrimination based on ancestry, color, creed, gender variance, genetic characteristics, immigration status, marital status, mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and source of income. In housing, it also prohibits discrimination based on custody of a minor child, parenthood and pregnancy. In employment, it also prohibits discrimination based on age, specifically 40 and older.

If you or someone you know has been the target of discrimination within city limits, you can file a claim through the City of Boulder’s Human Rights Ordinance. These services are available in any language. Learn more on the city’s website.

The Boulder District Attorney’s Office has created a hotline designed for members of our community to report hate or bias-motivated crimes.

This hotline is for non-emergencies only. Call 911 for crimes in progress.

Definition of a Bias-Motivated Crime: A person commits a bias-motivated crime if, with the intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, he or she:

1. Knowingly causes bodily injury to another person; or

2. By words or conduct, knowingly places another person in fear of imminent lawless action directed at that person or that person’s property and such words or conduct are likely to produce bodily injury to that person or damage to that person’s property; or

3. Knowingly causes damage to or destruction of the property of another person.

View the DA’s flyer on the county’s website.