Date: January 30, 2007
To: SCLC Board of Directors
From: Rev. Eric P. Lee
          Executive Director
Subject: King Week 2007 Overview

King Week 2007

Press Conference/Kick-Off (Thursday, January 4, 2007)

The Press Conference/Kick Off was held for the first time at the California African American Museum.   There were approximately 100 people in attendance, along with a respectable press corps to cover the event.   Additionally, there were numerous elected and appointed officials whom all issued statements regarding the significance of SCLC's founder, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Meet & Greet Mixer (Monday, January 8, 2007)

The Meet & Greet Mixer was well attended with approximately 75 people throughout the evening.   Guests were provided with an comfortable atmosphere that consisted of a live jazz performance, refreshments and an opportunity to just socialize.   Also in attendance were elected and appointed officials, sponsors and SCLC Board Members.   Of particular note was the attendance of LA Clippers owner, Donald Sterling.

Multi-faith Prayer Breakfast (Wednesday, January 10, 2007)

The SCLC of Greater Los Angeles returned to hosting the Multi-faith Prayer Breakfast, rather than the singularly focused Christian based prayer breakfast.   This change generated an escalated excitement about SCLC's renewed commitment to social and economic justice for all people, inclusive of all faiths.   The breakfast was well attended and the spirit of the event was hopeful and reconciliatory.    The only mishap was the failure of the caterers to deliver the food at the agreed upon time.   Nonetheless, the event was considered to be successful.

Labor & Community Dialogue (Saturday, January 13, 2007)

The Labor & Community Dialogue consisted of a panel of labor and community leaders and was designed to address three major issues confronting our communities: 1) Labor Movement and the African American Community, 2) Labor Movement and Immigration, and 3) African American Community and Immigration.   The statements and comments of the panelists were sincere and candid regarding the challenges facing the black and brown communities. Attendances consisted of predominately rank & file union members.   However, the community members that did attend commented after the event that they were glad that the dialogue addressed issues that are not being discussed, and indicated a desire to become more involved in the next dialogues.

A Walk With Dr. King Bus Tour (Saturday, January 13, 2007)

Noir Steps N' LA, owned by Wendy Gladney Brooks, launched its' inaugural bus tour during King Week 2007 by retracing the locations that Dr. King spoke at when he visited Los Angeles between 1964 and 1968.   The event was sponsored by SCLC Board Member Alice Goff and AFSCME Local 3090.   The tour was preceded by a march down Western Avenue, in which approximately 150 people participated.   The event was taped by NBC Channel 4 for a program called Your LA .

30 th Annual MLK Birthday Dinner & Gala (Monday, January 15, 2007)

The 30 th Annual MLK Dinner & Gala was completely sold out!   The event began with the VIP Reception that was well attended.   Various elected officials, SCLC Board Members and Sponsors were in attendance.

Guests were ushered into the main ball room at 7:00PM and were finally seated at approximately 7:30PM, at which time the program began.   Many elected and appointed officials were in attendance, however, only Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa delivered comments.   Rev. Eric Lee gave welcoming comments and Board Chairman Tyrone Freeman electrified the house with stirring comments about the mission and direction of SCLC of Greater Los Angeles.   The key statement from Board Chair Tyrone Freeman was the re-introduction of SCLC's Poor Peoples Campaign.

SCLC Board Member Congresswoman Maxine Waters introduced the key note speaker, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who delivered pointed and revealing comments about the state of America under George Bush's leadership.   Major points discussed were the necessity of pulling out of the war in Iraq, repealing Proposition 209 and the Three Strikes law.

The 30 th Annual MLK Dinner concluded at approximately 10:00PM, 2 ½ hours after it began.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of America's most beloved heroes, as well as one of the world's most respected leaders.   Dr. King's contribution to American culture caused our nation to be a world leader in advocating for human rights.   His life and legacy of non-violent resistance against violent oppression, of the call for justice and equality for all people against discrimination and segregation, of the biblical mandate to love against the hatred of racism, is remembered not only by the National Holiday commemorating his birthday, but also by his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1957, is celebrating 50 years of fighting for social and economic justice, and is the preeminent organization that sponsors celebrations of the federal holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday.   It is at these events that we reflect upon the teachings of Dr. King regarding the moral mandate of peace, justice, freedom and equality for all.   It is at these events that people of every walk of life come together with the hope of realizing the dream Dr. King envisioned of a peaceful global community.

SCLC of Greater Los Angeles has for 30 years presented King Week festivities to the Los Angeles communities, in which a series of events take place culminating with a Dinner Gala on the national holiday.   At these events, city, county and state elected and appointed officials, business leaders, community leaders and the general public participate as a demonstration of respect not only for the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but also to convey a commitment to justice and equality for all people.  

During the SCLC sponsored King Week 2007, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa participated in no less than three of the six events.   Los Angeles City Councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Wendy Gruel, Janice Hahn, Bernard Parks and Jan Perry participated in multiple SCLC sponsored events.   Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Assemblywoman Karen Bass and Senator Mark Ridley Thomas supported the King Week 2007 festivities.   Lt. Governor John Garamendi participated in numerous SCLC sponsored events.   Even Governor Arnold Schwartznegger sent representatives and a letter congratulating SCLC on celebrating Dr. King's birthday.  

Rev. Eric P. Lee                                Tyrone Freeman