01.15.2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

19º | Cloudy | 1% chance of snow
Sunrise 7:58 a.m. | Sunset 5:46 p.m.

Celebrating MLK’s local legacy

Dr. King’s ties and impact on Louisville and Kentucky

Four men stand looking at documents in a black and white image. From left: Frank Stanley Jr., Jackie Robinson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Kentucky Governor Edward T. Breathitt.

Martin Luther King Jr. was joined by Frank Stanley Jr. and Jackie Robinson when he met with Kentucky Governor Edward T. Breathitt in March 1964. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Louisville might not be the first place to come to mind when thinking about Martin Luther King Jr., but he has more connections to Derby City (and Kentucky at large) than you might think.

A.D. King

Dr. King’s brother, A.D. King was a pastor in Louisville at the Zion Baptist Church. He began serving as a pastor at the church in 1965, and led protests to seek open housing for African Americans. Dr. King visited River City at least three times to see his brother.

Following the assassination of his brother in 1968, A.D. King left Zion Baptist and returned to Atlanta.

A black and white photo of Jackie Robinson, Georgia Davis Powers, and Lawrence Montgomery standing outside, backdropped by a crowd of people. — Jackie Robinson, Georgia Davis Powers, and Lawrence Montgomery attended the March on Frankfort in 1964.
|
Photo via the Frazier History Museum Collection

The March on Frankfort

Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, but he also led a march on a different capitol city the following year.

In perhaps his most influential trip to Kentucky, Dr. King led the March on Frankfort in March 1964. Alongside Georgia Davis Powers and Jackie Robinson, an estimated 10,000 Kentuckians marched on the state capitol. This led to the passage of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act in 1966 — and A.D. King was invited to its signing.

King’s 1967 visit to UofL

Just a year before his death, Dr. King made another notable stop in Derby City. The University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law invited Dr. King to speak ahead of a meeting of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference that was taking place in town.

When King arrived, the law school’s auditorium couldn’t contain the crowd. Onlookers bunched around windows, just to catch a glimpse of him. The year had seen demonstrations on racial discrimination in Louisville’s housing market, and King’s remarks focused on the issue.

His visit + speech made an impact. Later that year, the Board of Alderman (similar to today’s Metro Council) approved an open housing ordinance, making Louisville the first city in the South to pass such a measure.

Asked

What year did Dr. King march on Frankfort?

A. 1962
B. 1963
C. 1964
D. 1967

Take our quiz

Events

Monday, Jan. 15

Community Free Day | Monday, Jan. 15 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Muhammad Ali Center, 144 N. 6th St., Louisville | Free | Get in free in honor of MLK + watch the “I Have a Dream” speech, which will play each hour.
MLK Paint Night | Monday, Jan. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville | $40 | Unleash your inner artist, and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King.

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 7 p.m. | Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center, 501 W. Main St., Louisville | $20-$50 | Hear a live performance of the score from the sixth movie in the wizarding series.

Thursday, Jan. 18

Vinyl Night: Rolling Stones | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 6-9 p.m. | 3rd Turn Brewing, 10408 Watterson Trail, Louisville | Free | You’ll be jumpin’ like Jack Flash to Rolling Stones tunes at this J-Town brewery.

Friday, Jan. 19

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer | Friday, Jan. 19 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Actors Theatre of Louisville, 316 W. Main St., Louisville | $31.80 | Hear the score from movies like “Inception,” “The Lion King,” and “Gladiator” under the glow of candles.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

The frigid temps from this weekend are expected to continue this week. Tomorrow is expected to be the coldest day of the week, with the thermometer dropping to near zero. Snow showers are also possible. Local officials are urging residents to take caution. (WDRB)

Edu

School’s in, for the winter. Ahead of that impeding winter weather, Jefferson County Public Schools officials say that the district will use NTI (aka Non-Traditional Instruction) on inclement weather days, rather than close schools for a traditional “snow day.” The district can use up to 10 NTI days per year. (WDRB)

Open

Royals Hot Chicken on East Market Street has a new look. The chicken joint closed for two days last week to undergo renovations, which included new artwork on the walls. Bonus: The chicken tikka masala sandwich has returned to the menu.

Eat

Parlour Pizza is taking over the kitchen at Falls City Brewing in Phoenix Hill. The space was previously home to Bandido Tacqueria + the brewery operated its own kitchen since last summer. (Kevin Gibson)

Pets

With those frigid temps on the way, it’s important to remember how the weather can impact our furry friends. Brush up on pet safety tips to ensure that Fido isn’t left out in the cold this week.

Giveaway

Make a donation towards veterans’ and children’s charities + you could win a RAM 3500 HD truck in the Big Diesel Truck Dream Giveaway. Double your entries with code 6AMCITY.*

Active

Kickstart your health + wellness goals in the first 90 days of 2024 and set the tone for a vibrant, active year ahead. Louisvillians who join the Y by Wednesday, Jan. 31, will sign up with a no join fee. Bonus: Take the New Member Challenge by working out eight times a month for the first three months and earn three free gifts.*

The Buy

The Buy 1.15.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Kitsch’s rice bar shampoo and conditioner. Reviewers noticed touchably soft hair and even improvements in hair loss, plus the bar is plastic-free thanks to its intelligently concentrated design.

Share LOUtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_17}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jeff

From the editor

Pardon me while I wax philosophical — I recently saw “The Holdovers,” the new movie starring Paul Giamatti in a Golden Globe-winning performance.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I’m reminded of a line from the movie, delivered by Giamatti: “History is not simply the study of the past. It is an explanation of the present.”

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY