Two first-ever events on Friday, November 19, 2021, will honor important Philadelphia area contributions to the activism that defined the social justice works of the legendary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
These events feature critical corrective history about the life of Dr. King – facts missed for decades by prominent scholars and famed authors. These events on November 19th take place, respectively, at a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and at a house in Camden, New Jersey.
The Philadelphia commemoration at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, honors the 71st anniversary of Dr. King’s attendance at a lecture that King said ignited his embrace of the non-violent protest strategies crafted by Gandhi for his activism in America.
The Camden ceremony is at the house – 753 Walnut Street – where Dr. King planned his first protest against racial discrimination. The protest took place five years before King led the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, that catapulted King to national prominence. The purpose of the Camden event is placement of an International Anniversary Plaque by the respected, United Kingdom-based Nubian Jak Community Trust. This entity has placed 68 commemorative Plaques and statues around the UK to memorialize significant Black History. The plaque in Camden, NJ will be the first placement of a marker by the Trust outside of the UK.
· The program for the international historic plaque placement in Camden, NJ begins at 1 p.m. on November 19th at 753 Walnut Street.
· The companion Philadelphia, Pa program/reception at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, at 3 p.m. This program encompassing the exact 3:45 p.m. time of the Sunday, November 19, 1950 lecture that King said was so “electrifying” that it caused him to quickly buy six books on Gandhi to study closely.
The plaque placement in Camden, NJ, that also commemorates the 71st anniversary of Dr. Johnson’s lecture is through a partnership of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, and the Amir and Aughtney Khan Foundation. Rev. Amir Khan purchased the 753 Walnut Street house this year to preserve that property’s important place in the history of Civil Rights advancement. The First Unitarian Church, pastored by Rev. Abby Tennis, is hosting the afternoon program/reception at the church.
These unique events on November 19th will include guest speakers from around the world. These events will be streamed on Zoom for those unable to attend.
Where: (753 Walnut Street – See Zoom link below)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86042321089?pwd=NHQ4 MWJVMlMwdEFCdDZzbGQ2Mm16UT09
Date/Time: 19 November 2021, 12:30 PM (EST) / 4:30 PM (UK)
Meeting ID: 860 4232 1089, Passcode: 375759
