
'Sometimes civil disobedience is an appropriate response to injustice' - MLK Feted in Florida
Despite low temperatures, rainy skies and inauguration ambivalence, crowds gathered to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy in Palm Beach and Broward Counties this week. “Let the White House know – don’t take this away,” said one participant.

Celebrating MLK Jr. in Oakland Park. (Photo by Zyan McArthur)
By Zyan McArthur and Sol Moyano | MediaLab@FAU
Jan 24, 2025
Bounce houses, twisting balloons and a live band featuring African American classics such as “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder were the colors used to paint the picture of the city of Oakland Park's “M.L.K. Celebration” at Wimberly Field over the weekend.
Walking up to the field, there was ample security. One security guard in particular urges college students to keep King Jr.’s legacy alive. “Spread the word of freedom,” said Maurice McCormick. McCormick, dressed in his uniform and a warm smile, said students can do this by treating others with “equality and equity.”
Past the security check, there was a tent with chairs for celebration-goers to sit and nod to the rhythm of the live band or get up and show off those dance moves.
Dressed in a crimson red sweater and red hair piece to match was Oakland Park retired resident Carlene Golphine. Her sweater is a nod to the late activist's most famous speech as it states “I Have A Dream” and “LET FREEDOM RING!”
“Let the White House know – don’t take this away,” said Golphine.
This year's inaugural date sparked controversy for some as it was held on the same day as King Jr.’s holiday. This is not the first time the inauguration and the MLK Day coincided, following former President Ronald Reagan’s decision to sign on to making it a federal holiday on Nov. 2, 1983. Former President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration was on King Jr.’s Day: Jan. 20, 1997.
To the right of the field, there were seven decorated posters that provides fun facts about the late minister. Next to the posters is a city of Oakland Park bus serving as a kind of mobile museum. Inside, there are several other African American leaders recognized, such as the late Rosa Parks who famously stood her ground on a Montgomery, Ala. bus. The symbolism conveys that the dreams of these pioneers finally came true.
Someone else in red was Special Events Manager Brian Collier. He was hard to miss as he enthusiastically walked around, made sure everything was in order, and then went on stage to hype up the crowd. The same passion that the late pioneers had was apparent in Collier.
“The mission is unity and peace,” Collier told MediaLab. “I wish more people came.”
Beneath a chilly rain, Boca Raton celebrated MLK
With the northeast experiencing such frigid weather that the inauguration of President Trump had to be moved indoors, Florida has been awash in drizzle and chill. Jan. 20 was a day of non-stop rain, cloudy skies and fierce winds, but nothing could rain on the parade that was taking place in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The celebration started with a Community Breakfast at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Boca Raton, followed by a Unity March, and then led to a celebration at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The event was filled with food vendors and amusement rides, giving people of all ages something to do.
The variety of vendors at the celebration included a lemonade stand, old-fashioned Italian ices, and an Uptown Deli stand that sold coffee along with American food items. The busiest food stand of the day was a stand with the phrase “A taste of Africa” written on its banner. Their menu consisted of jollof fried rice, grilled chicken kebabs, akara, turkey legs and kielbasa sausage. An hour before the celebration came to a close, the tray holding the jollof – a delicacy from West Africa – was empty.
Up on stage, many artists shared their talents with the crowd. Hued Songs, a production company specializing in providing a platform for Black and Brown artists, performed powerful gospel music while engaging with the audience.
Sherrika Mitchell, an award-winning poet and the host of the festivity, kept the crowd alive and laughing with her quick wit in between performances. She also performed a few poetry pieces, one of them dedicated to her grandma.
Following Mitchell’s poetry, ChichiMa Productions, a nonprofit Christian theatre company based in Lake Worth, took the stage to perform a dramatic interpretation of one of Dr. King’s most historic moments. Titled “Bars of Injustice,” the performance highlighted the letters Dr. King wrote during his time in the Birmingham jail.
“Sometimes civil disobedience is an appropriate response to injustice,” said Terra Couzens of ChichiMa Productions, quoting one of Dr. King’s famous lines from the “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
The skit began and the crowd relished the different characters on stage. Some notable performers included Ralph Abernathy played by Tony Harvey, Aretha Franklin played by Nancy Robertson, and Dr. King played by Mark Woods.
“We all know what history said. But what say you?” the narrator posed as she pointed to the audience, marking the end of the skit.
An interpretive dance was then performed to the song “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” by Thomas A. Dorsey. The gospel song was known to be Dr. King’s favorite throughout his life.
The closing act of the day was Nelly’s Echo, a Nigerian musical artist who sang original songs such as “Victoria’s Secret,” “The Struggle,” and “Mr. Leroy.”
Nelson Emokpae engaged with the crowd and had them dancing along to his music.
Before introducing his song “Wahala in America,” Emokpae joked with the audience members about the meaning of the Nigerian term, “Wahala.”
“It’s anything that causes you stress. So, like taxes. Walaha!” said Emokpae as he strummed his guitar.
By the end of the festivity, the weather still hadn’t let up, but smiles were seen throughout the crowd. MLK Day continues to shine in South Florida.
Zyan McArthur reported from Oakland Park. Sol Moyano reported from Boca Raton. News organizations are welcome to republish stories, as long as they credit the writers and MediaLab@FAU. Follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

