It’s a tradition that reaches back decades; the twenty-first official Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration was held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Vets Auditorium. A sizable crowd turned out to hear remarks from political leaders, multiple musical performances, and join in an event honoring one of the twentieth centuries most impactful Americans.
The ceremony began with comments from Mayor Freddy Puza, who noted that, “as a former ‘sundown town’ [where Black people were warned to be gone before nightfall or risk violence] Culver City is committed to embracing diversity as our strength.”
Puza introduced the members of the City Council who were present, Vice Mayor Bubba Fish, Council member Dan O’Brien, and Council member Yasmine Imani-McMorrin, and then introduced the next speaker, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove.
Culver City’s Congressional representative was eloquent about the challenges; taking on the Republican administration, saying “They fail to realize, that we are huge, deep pockets of resistance, of informed education, of intentional civility, and of compassion, humanity and love, and we are going to continue leading with the those values every day of the week.”
Kamlager-Dove also spoke to King’s legacy, emphasizing that “civil rights without economic power is incomplete. He spoke about reconfiguring systems that deny full participation in democracy. I see this every single day, as we are fighting against monopolies and corporations, and for these very things.”
State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas took to the podium to give the view from Sacramento. “Thank you, Culver City for putting this great event together. I think about the words of Dr. King, here in Culver City, about our children and grand-children holding hands.”
She also reflected on Dr. King’s teachings, reminding the crowd “What it means when communities come together, not just [to] tolerate, but learn from each other; and how we make it better for each other, how we build a community of care. Culver City is helping to cultivate that.” She quoted King’s statement “Love and courage are stronger than hate and fear…and that an injustice to one is injustice to all.”
Musical celebration began with the Culver CXity Middle School Choir, and then returned to reflecting on the life and times of Rev. Dr. King. with an address from Dr. Scott Brown, a professor of African American studies and History at UCLA.
More music rounded out the program with performances by the Roots and Thunder band, and DJ Caleb Crump.
Mayor Puza also thanked all the members of the MLK Day Committee, Karen Bibbs-Mckeever, LaToya Hearns, Lisa Gordon Cain, Amber Kearney, Anasia Obioha, Curtis Raynor, Carissa Joy Smith and Andrew Weiss.
It was an afternoon full of conversation and celebration, people sharing memories and offering support through the current challenges. What was spoken on the floor was just as reflective of Dr. King as the speeches from the podium, with neighbors and friends expressing their fears and concerns along with their hopes and plans.
Judith Martin-Straw
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