Fort Greene

BAM and borough president host 2025 annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Featuring keynote by Carlotta Walls LaNier, elected officials and special performances

January 21, 2025 Special from Brooklyn Academy of Music
The Fire Ensemble performs onstage during the 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at BAM Peter Jay Sharp Building on January 20, 2025 in New York City. Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for BAM
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Fort Greene — Yesterday, Jan. 20, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) proudly hosted the 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a cherished event celebrating the life and legacy of the civil rights icon. The momentous gathering took place in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, with attendees filling the venue.

Presented by BAM and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, this year’s tribute featured a powerful keynote address by Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine and a trailblazing figure in the fight for civil rights.

The program also included a stirring performance by Ailey II dancer Kiri Moore, who performed an excerpt from “Divining” by the late Judith Jamison, and a vibrant musical showcase by the Fire Ensemble, an intergenerational community choir blending gospel, soul, and musical theater traditions under the direction of Troy Anthony. Notably, the Fire Ensemble Choir, consisting of over 100 members, was the largest choir to ever perform on BAM’s stage in its over 160-year history. They performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem, along with other rousing selections.

In addition to the performances, the program was enriched by remarks from prominent civic leaders and elected officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Speaker of NYC City Council Adrienne Adams, NYC Council Member Crystal Hudson, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, BAM President Gina Duncan, BAM Chief Experience and Impact Officer Coco Killingsworth, and Senator Charles Schumer (via video message).

Each speaker reflected on Dr. King’s legacy and called for continued collective action in the pursuit of justice, equality and unity.

The event concluded on a high note with the Fire Ensemble performing “Celebrate,” an uplifting and exciting new song written by Troy Anthony, which brought the crowd to their feet.

Additional Programming

Following the tribute, BAM offered a special screening of “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found” in the BAM Rose Cinemas, a compelling documentary exploring the life and photography of Ernest Cole, a South African anti-apartheid activist. 

For families, “BAMkids MLK Program: If You Can’t Be the Sun, Be a Star!” engaged children with interactive mural-making, movement workshops, and more, celebrating Dr. King’s message of positivity and change. 





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