SEATTLE, WA (TIP): In partnership with Gates Foundation, Consulate General of India in Seattle hosted a special celebration showcasing Indian culture, arts and cuisine at the Gates Foundation today (October 2). The event was graced by Mr. Bill Gates, Chair and Board Member of Gates Foundation, along with senior leadership of Washington State and Seattle City government.
Mr. Bill Gates, Chair and Board Member of Gates Foundation, being presented a special publication on Gandhi ji by Mr. Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India in Seattle, at Gandhi Jayanti celebrations , October 2, 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Bill Gates said “It’s fitting that we’re coming together on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The ideals he championed, the equality and dignity of every person, are foundational to the work we do. Today, India stands as a global leader in innovation and is pioneering solutions with the potential to save and improve millions of lives across the Global South. We look forward to continuing to partner with India on its journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.”
“Natyam – A Dance Mosaic of Bharat” – a specially curated dance performance on various states of India being performed at Gandhi Jayanti celebrations
The event also coincided with the Gandhi Jayanti and International Day of Non-Violence celebrations in the Greater Seattle area and also featured a special address on the ‘Relevance of Gandhian Values in Contemporary World Order’ by Mr. Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute.
Dignitaries at Gandhi Jayanti celebrations
Earlier in the day, a commemorative event was also held at the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi near the Bellevue Public Library, where Bellevue City Council leadership joined in honoring the legacy of the Mahatma. In addition, another commemorative function was hosted in the afternoon at the Seattle Center (near the base of Space Needle) and floral tributes were offered at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi by Washington State Senator Vandana Slatter in the presence of Eddie Rye, Chairman and Founder of the Martin Luther King (MLK) – Gandhi Foundation. A large cross-section of Indian-American leadership attended these events in Seattle and Bellevue respectively, which also featured a special rendition of Gandhi Ji’s favorite hymns by young school children.
Commemoration of Gandhi Jayanti at Seattle Center next to Space Needle on October 2,2025.
Audience at an MLK Celebration Event. (Credit: apollotheater.org)
By Mabel Pais
WNYC Radio (NYC Public Radio) in collaboration with The Apollo Theater of Harlem will host the annual MLK event at The Apollo (as it’s popularly called), honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday while exploring Dr. King’s enduring legacy through the lens of belonging, reflecting on his vision for a just and inclusive society. This takes place on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 2 pm. Doors open at 1 pm.
PROGRAM
WHEN: Sunday, January 19, 2025 @ 2:00 PM
WHERE: The Apollo, 253 West 125th Street New York, NY
DURATION: 1 hour 30 minutes
Through powerful conversations with prominent public intellectuals, community and faith leaders, authors and artists the organizers will ponder democracy and civil rights under a second Trump administration.
Featuring appearances from organizers Michael Hill, Janae Pierre, Brian Lehrer and Terrance McKnight.
Join the team for this inspiring tribute as we honor Dr. King’s dream and engage in a timely dialogue on the ongoing project of forging an equitable society.
RSVP & TICKETS
This event is free with RSVP. RSVP @ ticketmaster.com/wnyc-the-apollo-present-apollo-uptown-new-york-new-york-01-19-2025/event/00006179B91A182C.
Free tickets will be available starting Tuesday, Jan. 7.
For the schedule updates, visit apollotheater.org/event/uptown-hall-25.
For those unable to attend in person, the event will air on WNYC on Monday, January 20 at 2 pm and 8 pm.
The Apollo
The Apollo is an American cultural treasure. It is a vibrant non-profit organization rooted in the Harlem community that engages people from around New York, the nation, and the world. Since 1934, The Apollo has celebrated, created, and presented work that centers Black artists and voices from across the African Diaspora. It has also been a catalyst for social and civic advocacy. Today, The Apollo is the largest performing arts institution committed to Black culture and creativity.
The Apollo is a commissioner and presenter; catalyst for new artists, audiences, and creative workforce; and partner in the projection of the African American narrative and its role in the development of American and global culture.
WNYC
On July 8th, 1924, WNYC began broadcasting at 570 AM. In battle with other stations and the FCC, the frequency shifted over the years to 810 AM, 830 AM and finally to its present location at 820 AM.
The station added an FM antenna and transmitter on top of the Municipal Building and on March 13, 1943 began full operation on the “static-less” FM band. During the WWII and into the 1950s, WNYC was the city’s primary clearing house for civil defense information.
It also expanded its child-oriented programming while continuing to be a leader in classical and American music programming. In March 1995, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani agreed to sell WNYC AM and FM to the WNYC Foundation for $20 million. On January 7, 1997 the City transferred ownership of the licenses to the WNYC Foundation and on March 11, 1997, the licenses were assigned by the Foundation to WNYC Radio. The station strives to continue a legacy of innovative programs under the distinguished leadership of President and CEO Laura Walker, the first non-mayoral appointee in WNYC’s history. With the launch of wnyc.org in 1998, the station extended its virtual community internationally.
In October 2009 WQXR joined WNYC as part of the New York Public Radio family followed two years later by WNJT FM-Trenton, WNJB FM-Sussex, WNJY FM-Netcong, and WNJO FM-Toms River comprising New Jersey Public Radio and WQXQ in 2013. WNYC Studios were launched in 2015 as a major new multi-million-dollar investment to incubate talent and double down on podcasts.
Today, WNYC Radio (93.9 FM and 820 AM) is the most listened-to public radio station in the United States. With extraordinary support from listeners, corporations and foundations WNYC Radio is now independent of city government having paid for its broadcast licenses. WNYC is a member station of National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Radio International (PRI). Since 1940 WNYC and WQXR have been honored with 22 Peabody Awards and citations.
WNYC’s history of providing innovative and award-winning news, educational, cultural and public affairs programming reflects the enormous diversity and cultural depth of the New York metropolitan area.
To learn more about WNYC’s rich broadcast legacy go to Archives and Preservation.
The Apollo has a decades-long tradition of serving as a convener for its community as well as people from across New York City. That tradition continues as The Apollo partners with WNYC in our 18th annual celebration of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring legacy on the culture.
This year’s presentation focuses on a renewed commitment to understanding the context, confronting the complexity, and elevating our collective consciousness in the face of injustice and discrimination.
NPR’s ‘Notes from America’ host, Kai Wright moderates the first hour of this year’s celebration. Music, spoken word and other forms of creative expression round out the afternoon. Check back for updates on this program.
In collaboration with March On Washington Film Festival.
Uptown Hall: The Inconvenient King is part of The Apollo’s Winter/Spring 2024 season.
TICKETS
Free tickets are available at ticketmaster.com/event/00005F9DCCE65133
There is an overall 4 ticket limit for this event.
ATTENDEE REQUIREMENTS
This is a free event but a ticket is required. Free tickets are also available at The Apollo box office. You must show your e-ticket at check in. Seating is by general admission, registration and or possession of a ticket does not guarantee entry. Doors open at 1PM. Tickets not scanned by 1:30PM on the day of the event will be released to patrons in the standby line.
This event will be recorded for broadcast and theater entry will confirm consent to be included in the recording.
Accessible Tickets
To better accommodate attendee needs, Apollo Theater has requested that special seating accommodations be solicited online and through their representatives. Contact Apollo Theater Box Office with questions at (212) 531-5305.
———————————————–
APOLLO APPRENTICES PRESENT: MLK YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS
Young Changemakers 2024 logo (Credit / apollotheater.org)
This year’s ‘MLK Young Changemakers: The Beloved Community’ explores the roots of Dr. King’s activism and the everyday faith that powered his vision of a beloved global community. The discussion will focus on issues of climate change, global migration and voting rights.
Join The Apollo as the changemakers of tomorrow share their voices and resources to help the next generation become catalysts within their own beloved communities. With live performances and opportunities for direct action, this is THE space for youth on the National Day of Service. This event is curated by The Apollo’s Apprentices.
Uptown Hall: The Beloved Community is part of The Apollo’s Winter/Spring 2024 season.
This event will have ASL Interpretation.
Featured Panelists
DAVIDA PADI
Davida Padi is a Ghanaian-American storyteller studying Social Media Strategies and Legal Studies with an Environmental Studies Concentration. She works at the intersection of mental health, climate change, and technology. Davida has worked with the UN Foundation’s United To Beat Malaria, MTV, and the Biden-Harris White House Administration. Davida is a Gilman Scholar, Johnson & Johnson Scholar, and a 2021 Martin Luther King Observance Committee Scholarship Awardee. She has been featured in Teen Vogue 21 Under 21.
DR. NYLE FORT
Dr. Nyle Fort is a minister, activist, and scholar. He works with organizers, artists, students, educators, faith leaders, and community members to build what Dr. King described as the Beloved Community: a global society rooted in the principles of love, freedom, and justice. Nyle has studied, lectured, and organized across the United States, India, Belgium, The Netherlands, Britain, Palestine, and more. He is currently an Assistant Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Columbia University and a faith-based organizer with the Dream Defenders.
AJANI STELLA
Ajani Stella is the founder and leader of Kids Fight Climate Change, a unique climate education group dedicated to teaching young people about the climate crisis. He is a 17-year-old climate activist living in New York City. He was named one of 30 under 30 worldwide for environmental education by the North American Association for Environmental Education. Ajani has been engaged with climate action since he spoke to the New York City Teachers Retirement Fund Board of Directors about divesting from fossil fuels when he was ten years old.
F.L.O.G.I.C.
F.L.O.G.I.C is a New York-based Christian duo composed of sisters Breanna and Taylour Dickerson. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, the sisters grew up singing and praise dancing in church, and their Pentecostal C.O.G.I.C. roots are the foundation for what they describe as “Worship Hip-Hop.” They were hand-selected for America’s Got Talent Season 14.
RANA ABDELHAMID
Rana Abdelhamid is an internationally acclaimed human rights organizer, 1st Degree Black Belt, public speaker, and social entrepreneur focused on the empowerment of marginalized communities. In 2022, she ran for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 12th congressional district. Rana has been named a Truman Scholar and a Running Start Rising Political Star, and she has received a NYC Council Proclamation and an International Youth Advocate award from the UNAUSA Foundation.
BRENNAN BRINK
Brennan is the migrant shelter and immigration consultant at the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) as well as a 3rd year M.Div. student at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. At ICNY, Brennan helps to strengthen and unify the work of Houses of Worship as they respond to the Asylum Seeker Crisis in New York City.
FATOUMATA THAIM
Fatoumata, now the Civic Leadership Youth Coordinator at the Muslim Community Network NY (MCN), embarked on a transformative journey from Senegal to New York City in 2009. In 2018, she founded the Noko-Boku Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational resources annually to elementary schools in villages and rural areas. Now positioned at MCN, Fatoumata is poised to contribute significantly to the organization’s mission and the growth of youth leadership.
To learn more about each panelist, visit apollotheater.org/event/apollo-young-producers-presents-young-changemakers-2024
TICKETS
For Free tickets, visit apollotheater.org/event/apollo-young-producers-presents-young-changemakers-2024
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, Spirituality, The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Health & Wellness, Cuisine, and Business)
Signup to our Newsletter!
Don’t miss out on all the happenings around the world
