Blackout for Human Rights

On Monday, January 18th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Blackout for Human Rights and the Campaign for Black Male Achievement will host “MLK Now,” a special MLK Day event to celebrate and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and explore how his message and vision continue to resonate in today's racial, social and political landscape. Taking place at Harlem’s Riverside Church – where Dr. King performed his famous 1967 speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence” -- the event will feature historic speeches performed by some of today’s leading actors -- including Chris Rock, Oscar-Winner Octavia Spencer, Michael B. Jordan, Tony Award-Winner Anika Noni Rose, Tessa Thompson, and more. VICE will serve as media partner on the event. “MLK Now” will also feature musical performances by Rose and Grammy-Nominated Artist Bilal and closes off with an interactive panel discussion addressing the most pressing human rights issues of today – including police violence, racial and social injustice, economic inequality, the prison industrial complex and grassroots and political mobilization. Panelists include Filmmaker and Blackout Member Ryan Coogler; Grammy-Nominated Hip Hop Artist J. Cole; Black Lives Matter Co-Founder and Black Alliance for Just Immigration Executive Director Opal Tometi; Arab American Association of New York Executive Director Linda Sarsour; Million Hoodies Movement for Justice Executive Director Dante Barry; and Activist Leon Ford, Jr. Blackout is a network of artists, entertainers, advocates, spiritual leaders, educators and everyday citizens who commit their collective resources towards addressing human rights violations in the U.S. Blackout is comprised of both high visibility and everyday citizens. Members include Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Charles King, Nate Parker, Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover, Ava DuVernay, Jesse Williams, John Burris, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosa Clemente, Michael McBride, Shaka King, Scott Budnick, David Oyelowo, Pastor Michael McBride and others. DOORS WILL OPEN AT 1:30 p.m., program to begin at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are free and can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlknow-tickets-20465812797. For real-time updates and announcements, follow @UnitedBlackOut and @BMAchievement using the hashtag #mlkNOW and #CBMA