KST Reasserts Pittsburgh’s Commitment to the Legacy of Rev. Dr. King
KST hosts a day of performances and activities on MLK Day, January 20.
Artwork by Mingsi Ma
On Monday, January 20, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) continues their 15th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King: An MLK Day Celebration Through Art & Advocacy and Let Freedom Sing. In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King presents an engaging Youth & Family program featuring performances by local artists and activities that connect participants to valuable community resources. Attendees will explore how Rev. Dr. King’s legacy of activism continues to resonate with today’s ongoing struggles for social justice. This event is part of Citizens Series: KST Presents Arts and Community Programs, sponsored by Citizens.
In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King runs from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with local performances scheduled from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The day’s festivities culminate with the 18th annual Let Freedom Sing Concert at 7:30pm. In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King is hosted by KST’s board chair Alyssa P. Lyon, formerly the Director of the Black Environmental Collective.
According to KST’s Programming Manager Sarah Gilmer, “Dr. King spoke of the interconnected struggles for justice, emphasizing the need to challenge inequality and champion dignity for all. This year’s celebration brings his words and other pioneers of justice to life through a program that explores pressing priorities like youth empowerment, reproductive justice, and the collective pursuit of peace.”
This day of reflection, unity, and creative expression highlights performances from new local performance partners in addition to returning partner Hill Dance Academy Theatre. Student performers from Los Sabrosos Dance Company’s class “Breakin’ for Kids” will open the show. Guardians of Sound’s Hip Hop Orchestra, a creative performing ensemble composed of youth, young professional and established professional musicians, will perform three songs appointed for MLK Day.
This year, In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King brings art and advocacy to the forefront through new and special collaborations. KST commissioned Bearing Life: A Dance Play on Black Women’s Reproductive Health from choreographer and teaching artist Rickia Davenport, featuring members of Alumni Theater Company’s professional ensemble.
Inspired by Rickia’s first-hand experience facing Preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy, and child loss at birth, Bearing Life responds to the reproductive health challenges Black women face through dance.
Research has shown that pregnancy-related mortality rates and morbility rate are higher for Black women compared to for White women. KST commissioned this work at this timing when historic, racial and socio-economic reasons force black women to have less access to prenatal care.
KST is also excited to present a special pop-up gallery exhibition for MLK Day. Displayed in the lobby are the Oneness Dove, an interactive wooden art piece, and a special mural, both created in collaboration with the KSCI-ART Youth Initiative teens led by Kirsten Raglin-Smith. KSCI-ART Youth Initiative will facilitate event attendees decorating and adding their own circles to the Oneness Dove that will be on display in the KST Gallery until Sunday, February 16, 2025. Participants can also take home a 3D-printed circle to commemorate this inspiring tribute to Dr. King’s vision.
Courtesy of Let Freedom Sing
At the end of the day, the Let Freedom Sing Concert celebrates social justice through vocal and instrumental music, as well as spoken word. The concert features vocal solos by Anqwenique and choral selections by The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, directed by Dr. Herbert Jones. It concludes with a performance by the intergenerational MLK Festival Choir, directed by Dr. Herbert Jones and Nikki Porter, with a jazz trio accompanying the singers throughout the evening. KDKA-TV reporter Mikey Hood will serve as the celebrity emcee.
In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King: An MLK Day Celebration Through Art & Advocacy
Monday, January 20, 2025 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm Community Partner Activities | 2:00pm – 3:00pm Performance Program
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Tickets for In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King are Pay What Moves You, $0 – $25 per attendee, and can be reserved here.
Let Freedom Sing
Monday, January 20, 2025 | 7:30pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Tickets for Let Freedom Sing are Pay What Moves You, $2 – $50 per attendee, and can be reserved here
IN THE SPIRIT OF REV. DR. KING – ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Astounded by socio-economic disparities in Pittsburgh, New York native and KST Board Chair Alyssa P. Lyon (Host) works to level the playing field. With degrees from Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, she promotes sustainable solutions for Black communities. Formerly Director of the Black Environmental Collective, Alyssa has played a crucial role in initiatives such as the Wilkinsburg TRID study, the City of Pittsburgh’s Comprehensive Plan, and collaborations with the EPA. She is a key driver of efforts to address environmental injustice and racism.Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT), a Pittsburgh Cultural Treasure will celebrate 20 years in 2025 as Black dance arts education nonprofit organization located in the Historic Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA., HDAT was founded in 2005 by Ayisha Morgan-Lee, Ed.D. to provide children, youth, and teens, ages 3 to 18, access and opportunity to dance. HDAT trains students in various styles of concert dance, fitness and nutrition, and leadership skills. HDAT’s mission is to provide professional level training in Black Dance traditions, history, culture, and aesthetics that engages and empowers students to pursue careers in Black dance. www.5678hdat.org
Guardians of Sound’s Hip Hop Orchestra aims to inspire and nurture the creative and intellectual curiosity of today’s youth through music. The orchestra is composed of instrumentalists, singers, emcees and rappers who work with a variety of music genres, including hip hop, rock, popular, classical, and jazz. This approach not only enriches modern music-making but also builds a stronger, younger, and more diverse audience for musicians. Visit gosound.org to learn more.
Los Sabrosos Dance Company is a dance and fitness organization whose mission is to help individuals find freedom, passion, self-expression, and self-confidence through movement. They offer group and private dance classes in a variety of styles including Salsa, Bachata, Ballroom classes (Waltz, Jive, Rumba, etc), Yoga, Hip-Hop, Bellydance, Zumba, fitness classes, and many more. They also offer services for weddings, quinceañeras, sweet sixteens, bachelorette, and more. For information on upcoming classes and other services visit lspgh.com.
A native of Pittsburgh’s Hill District and South Hills neighborhoods, Rickia Davenport attended Potomac State College in West Virginia. Currently, she serves as the Arts Education director with K-Theatre Dance Complex, is a lead Dance Instructor for Propel Charter Schools and is CEO and Owner of KaiFiTT. She has also cultivated dance partnerships with Voices against Violence, Gwen’s Girls, Dance Junction, Be Healthy Be Smart Fitness, and more! @rickia_lynn
IN THE SPIRIT OF REV. DR. KING – ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The Kingsley Association is your hub for community connection and growth. We offer health and wellness programs, enriching after-school activities, youth and teen events, and family resources to uplift and inspire. Our newly modernized facilities serve as a vibrant space for gathering, learning, and empowerment. Together, we build meaningful relationships and create opportunities for everyone. Discover how you can engage with our mission to enhance lives at KingsleyAssociation.org.
Healthy Start Inc. supports women, children, fathers, families, and communities through comprehensive community-based programming, systems coordination, advocacy, research, and training. Our programming spans Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. We are part of a network of more than 100 community-based Healthy Start projects across the United States. Our goal is to make sure all families have access to affordable, quality care to improve maternal and child health outcomes and quality of life. healthystartpittsburgh.org.
Youth Initiative, led by Kirsten Raglin-Smith, empowers adolescents in Pittsburgh’s East Side through arts, STEM, and life skills programming. Partnering with local organizations, they foster creativity, mentorship, and community-building activities like cooking, sports, and intentional conversations. At KST’s annual MLK Day celebration, Youth Initiative will facilitate the Oneness Dove project, a collaborative sculpture symbolizing unity and peace. Participants can also take home a 3D-printed circle to commemorate this inspiring tribute to Dr. King’s vision!
The mission of True T is celebrating queer people of color through creative art, community health, and social activism. Mrs. Tracey Bryant leads True T‘s Unique Jewelry Workshop at KST’s MLK Day! Join us for a hands-on journey, turning raw materials into one-of-a-kind craft jewelry under Mrs. Bryant’s expert guidance. Participants will create stunning masterpieces onsite, ensuring a unique and personalized experience. Don’t miss this chance to unleash your creativity and take home a bespoke work of art. truetpgh.com @truetpgh
Landforce is committed to building a just world where everyone belongs, lives in a healthy environment, and surpasses their greatest dreams. By combining employment opportunities with environmental stewardship, Landforce recruits, trains, educates, employs, and supports adults who have faced structural barriers to stable employment. Their skilled crews transform greenspaces through creative work like garden installations, trail building, and reforestation, blending environmental restoration with artistry. Visit landforcepgh.org to learn more about their upcoming projects and opportunities.
Assemble envisions a world where learning and creating are transformative experiences. We use learning to build a more equitable future for youth and learners in Pittsburgh and beyond. Through making, we build confidence, connect learners and creators, and nurture agency. We offer free programs for kids, camps, and adult programs. Visit us at 4824 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, assemblepgh.org, or @assemblepgh.
Allegheny Reproductive Health Center has provided compassionate, patient-centered abortion care in Pittsburgh since 1975 and has expanded in recent years to offer gynecology and trans care. As a small but dedicated team, we are committed to supporting our community with personalized care and resources. Through educational outreach and collaborative events, we focus on advancing reproductive health and justice, ensuring accessible, informed choices for all individuals seeking comprehensive reproductive health services. alleghenyreproductive.com
LET FREEDOM SING – ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Founder and Director of The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, Dr. Herbert Jones has cultivated a multifaceted career as a choral conductor, educator, scholar, operatic bass, liturgical dancer, orator, pastor. He has taught middle school through university levels, performed across the United States and Europe. Dr. Jones holds degrees in Music, Psychology, Education, Dance & Drama, culminating with a doctorate in Choral Conducting & Music Education, and with additional study in Ethnomusicology.
A versatile vocalist and teaching artist specializing in opera, classical music, jazz, and soul, Anqwenique is heard all over the Pittsburgh region. She grew up in Pittsburgh, steeped in jazz as her father was a musician. A frequent teaching artist, Anqwenique is on the faculty of CLAZZ International Music Festival in Italy. She was named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 under 40 in 2017 and serves as director of programs for Arts Education Collaborative. @sopranowing
Internationally recognized singer, songwriter, teacher, choir director, and actress, Rev. Nicol “Nikki” Porter is Minister of Music at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Nikki holds a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University where she studied with Maureen Budway and founded Duquesne’s Gospel Choir. Rev. Porter performs as soloist, teacher and choir director with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Gospel Connection conference in Italy and was named Bynums Marketing & Communications’ 2024 Circle of Courage awardee. nikkiportermusic.com
Kenny Peagler is an award-winning, multi-genre pianist, composer, and musical director celebrated for his virtuosic technique and ability to weave intricate melodies and lush harmonies that evoke deep emotion. Originating from Pittsburgh, he received a full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, where he honed his craft and caught the attention of industry insiders, leading to performances at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide. kennypeagler.com
Pittsburgh native Mikey Hood joined KDKA in March 2019. Mikey has had a public presence in Pittsburgh for quite some time through her online show PghSpot, a platform she created to highlight the movers and shakers in the Burgh! Mikey grew up in the East End of Pittsburgh and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where she studied Writing and Communications. @mikeyhoodkdka
The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic ensemble founded by Dr. Herbert V.R.P. Jones. The Chorale specializes in the performance and preservation of African-American Sacred Choral Music, Sacred Choral Music, Spirituals, Anthems, and Gospel Music. The Chorale has a seven- member Board of Directors and includes, in its Mission, collaborations with other choral and instrumental ensembles, organizations and musical entities. thgcpgh.org
ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER
Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.
KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.