It was a very Sunday kind of Saturday; Christian choirs, a profound pastor and plenty of “Amens” filled the room at the Culver City celebration of MLK Day. The federal holiday celebrating Martin Luther King lands on the calendar in January, but with wildfires raging in Los Angeles County, Culver City opted to postpone until Feb. 15, 2025. The Vets Auditorium filled with folks, who were welcomed by MC Shyneika Taylor, and then by Mayor Dan O’Brien as the event got underway.
All members of the City Council were on hand along with School Board member Andrew Lachman. Parks and Recreation Director Ted Stevens was there as well, overseeing the PRCS staff that were taking care of the event.
The Crusade Christian Faith Center Choir led “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” They gave the stage to Faith Center’s Small Ensemble, who performed more music. An intense speech by Pastor Princeton Parker asked the crowd to consider history, leaning on the proverb that “Those who do not study history are condemned to repeat it.”
Gerald C. Rivers, the popular voice actor known as “The Voice of MLK” powerfully re-enacted words from Dr. MLK, after offering some thoughts of his own. “I’ve been speaking as Dr. King for years now, and while I never thought that this would be so much in demand, but the need to hear these words continues on…” Rivers chose to quote the speech best know for “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Perhaps a few in the crowd remembered President Barak Obama’s call for action, reminding people that “It does not bend itself.”
Rivers was followed by rapper Sugi Dakks and his band, putting on a memorable musical performance. Dakks was followed by the LA Drumline and Majorettes, and the show closed with a recognition of the National Day of Service.
Photo of Gerald Rivers from City of Culver City