
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




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
Panelists
Marc Spears
Moderator
Grant Hill
NBA Hall of Famer
Danny Green
Memphis Grizzlies
Katrina Merriweather
University of Memphis' Women's Basketball Head Coach
Cornell Watson
Documentary Photographer
MONDAY, JANUARY 16
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
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
Honorees
Gary Payton
Luol Deng
Nancy Lieberman
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.