21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

On Monday, Jan. 16, the Memphis Grizzlies, National Civil Rights Museum, City of Memphis and Shelby County will host the 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game, presented by Ford and your Mid-South Ford Dealers. All events are in effort to continue the ongoing conversations with the Memphis community and Mid-South youth to Remember, Celebrate and Act on Dr. King‘s legacy.


Presented by the Memphis Grizzlies, National Civil Rights Museum, City of Memphis and Shelby County

NCRMCity-Of-MemphisShelbyFord

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

  • MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE

    Presented by FedEx

    Grizzlies players will participate in a service project alongside FedEx Volunteers supporting a local “Memphis 13” school, Springdale Elementary. Over 60 years ago, 13 first grade students integrated into four schools in Memphis Tennessee. Those students are known as the Memphis 13. Volunteers will renovate and spruce up several spaces of the school including a parent resource room, teacher work room and pack backpacks benefiting the student body.

  • Flows at FedExForum Showcase: Driving the Dream

    Presented by Verizon

    Driving the Dream Spoken Word Contest participants return to FedExForum for a showcase of their talents. In front of a live judging, participants will share their spoken word piece which will feature how they envision driving the dream by continuing the legacy of MLK Jr. This showcase will also include youth entrepreneurs as vendors and a special guest poetry presentation by Clayborn Temple Artist in Residence, 13-time Slam Champion and 10th Ranked National Lady Poet, Writeous Soul.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

  • INTERSECTION OF RACE AND SPORTS

    Topic : Confronting Confederate Culture on College Campuses

    Moderator : The Undefeated's, Marc Spears

    Panelists : NBA Hall of Famer, Grant Hill, Memphis Grizzlies' very own, Danny Green, University of Memphis' Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Katrina Merriweather and Documentary Photographer, Cornell Watson.

    Opening Remarks by : National Civil Rights Museum President, Dr. Russ Wigginton and former NBA player & Memphis Grizzlies Director of Player Support, Elliot Perry

MONDAY, JANUARY 16

  • MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 27: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the game against Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum on December 27, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

    Grizzlies vs. Suns

    Presented By : Ford and your Mid South Ford Dealers

    Associate Game Sponsors: FedEx, Verizon, Hyde Family Foundation

    Anthem: Isaiah Sharkey

    Halftime, Presented by Ford and your Mid-South Ford Dealers: Aloe Blacc

    Buy Tickets

MONDAY, JANUARY 16

  • EARL LLOYD SPORTS LEGACY SYMPOSIUM

    Presented by the Hyde Family Foundation

    This year’s symposium will pay tribute to our National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy honorees and highlight the significant contributions to civil and human rights they have made through their careers in sports, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Must have game ticket to attend.

    Location : Built Ford Tough Practice Facility, FedExForum

    Moderator : Grizzlies TV Play-by-Play analyst, Pete Pranica

    Opening Remarks : Jason Wexler, President, Memphis Grizzlies & FedExForum and Dr. Russ Wigginton, President, National Civil Rights Museum

    Honorees : Gary Payton, Luol Deng, Nancy Lieberman and Eddie George

  • MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY MENTORING RECRUITMENT FAIR

    Starting at 3:30 PM until the end of halftime FedExForum Concourse Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to visit 18 Grizzlies community partners and organizations who lead mentoring efforts around the Mid-South. Must have a game ticket to attend.

MEDIA

2023 Intersection of Race & Sports Panel
2023 Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium
Grizzlies refurbish Springdale Elementary School | MLK Day of Service
2022 Intersection of Race & Sports Panel
20th Annual Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium: Presented by Hyde Family Foundation
MLK Day of Service 2022