Because only together we can make a difference
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee
Santa barbara
MLKSB will be continue to be engaged with environmental justice and sustainability concerns, promoted by Dr. King; who was instrumental in passing the Civil Rights Act, which led to various other pieces of important environmental legislation, specifically the Clean Air Act of 1963 and the Clean Water Act of 1972.
Sojourner Kincaid Rolle Tribute
Our dear friend and founding member of MLKSB passed away November 13, 2023. She lived a life of “uplift” to our community and was a friend to many in Santa Barbara. She was irreplaceable and will be deeply missed.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee Santa Barbara,
Board of Directors
Sojourner was a founding member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara and played a pivotal role in the development of the organization. She campaigned from 1986 – 1988 for the City of Santa Barbara to recognize and honor the national MLK Jr. Day, which was made a federal holiday in January of 1986. Sojourner was actively involved in all MLK holiday celebrations for the next twenty years. In 2007, she was called on to be part of a more organized effort to plan the city’s celebration for the national holiday. This directly let to the creation of the local Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara.
We are thrilled to announce the creation and unveiling of Colleen M. Kelly’s installation, “Poet’s Perch, Homage to Sojourner Kincaid Rolle”, at the Botanic Gardens, which took place recently. The installation is located in the back country of the gardens and will be there until August of 2026. A reservation is required in order to visit the Botanical Gardens due to parking limitations. For reservations, please visit, https://sbbotanicgarden.org.
E. Onja Brown Lawson
As we look ahead, we are planning to dedicate a plaque in Sojourner’s honor, which will be placed on one of the King Palm trees, located in front of the SB Superior Court. This plaque will serve as a lasting tribute to her memory and legacy. If you would like to be a part of this meaningful project, you can donations can be made at Go Fund Me.
https://gofund.me/00718a5c
The plaque will be ready early October and we will hold a dedication ceremony once it is in place. We will notify you and hope you will join us in honoring Sojourner in this meaningful and permanent way.
OUR 2024 THEME
"The time is always ripe to do right” - Birmingham, Alabama 1963
Mission Statement
The mission of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara is to foster positive relationships between the many diverse groups in the Santa Barbara Community and the surrounding areas; to sponsor programs and events which exemplify the teachings of Dr. King; and to observe and celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Who We Are
Our committee is dedicated to bringing awareness to the Santa Barbara community
The King Federal Holiday Commission in planning the first celebration in 1986, saw the holiday as “a day for love, not hate; for understanding, not anger; for peace, not war. “ The Commission further declared that it would be a “day when people of all races, religions, classes and stations in life put aside their differences and join in a spirit of togetherness.
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What We Do
We Honor
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Each year a fundamental question arises. Young people especially want to know, “Why do we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? The following is a brief analysis which can be duplicated and shared.
Community
Events
The Celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, in Santa Barbara is a free event for our community. We believe that we all can be enriched by the legacy of Dr. King’s life and work.
MLK Day Legacy of Service
In Memoriam
"Our lives end the day we keep silent about things that matter”
George Floyd
Tony McDade
Armaud Arbery
BreonNa Taylor
Michael Brown
Eric Garner
Sean Bell
Sandra Bland
Philando Castile
Tamir Rice
Freddie Gray
Trayvon Martin
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