In celebration of our 9th anniversary, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism will host “Get These Hands” Juke Joint and Game Night fundraiser. The fundraiser will be held at The Artist Table on Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m.
The night will be filled with music, great food, and plenty of games. Come out and play Spades, Uno, Jenga, and if you have a competitive spirit, join the Spades and Uno tournament. Get your tickets today because tournament spots are limited.
We are celebrating the historic juke joints of the Mid-South and the Mississippi Delta, embracing the joy, connection, and escape they represented. Help us curate a vibe by dressing in looks inspired by the 1930s-1940s juke joint aesthetic. Think sharp suits, vintage dresses, bold accessories, classic hats, stylish yet comfortable, and timeless elegance. Classy night out or concert attire is also welcome (as we share the night with Riverbeat Music Fest).
About MLK50: Justice Through Journalism
“At MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, our reporting brings folks together to hold space for challenging conversations,” said Wendi C. Thomas, founding editor and publisher of MLK50.
“We also use our powerful storytelling to remember why joy, Black joy in particular, is so important to center when understanding what we can do to fight for economic justice. When we consider the legacies of our mission ancestors — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ida B. Wells-Barnett — we are reminded that it was people-power that kept them going. ‘Get These Hands’ is a night of fun and community-building to sustain our work moving forward.”
Our nonprofit news outlet in Memphis focuses on the intersection of poverty, power and policy. We examine the systems that make it hard for workers to make ends meet and interrogate those who profit from the status quo.
We launched on April 4, 2017, as a one-year project to reckon with what Memphis and America had done with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s sacrifice. We have evolved into an award-winning nonprofit digital news site. Our organization has partnered with national outlets such as ProPublica and Capital B. MLK50 is also a partner newsroom with Report for America.
Our vision echoes Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream: A nation where all residents – especially workers – have enough resources to thrive, and where public and private policy supports their success. MLK50 and its journalists continue to garner recognition for work that makes a meaningful, tangible difference in people’s lives.
Now more than ever, we need the support of our MLK50 community. Your ticket purchase funds the accountability journalism that Memphis needs right now. Join us for a fun-filled evening in support of the only Black-led and women-led nonprofit newsroom in Memphis.
Proceeds from “Get These Hands” will go toward MLK50’s mission. The emcee and DJ will be announced soon.
How to get tickets
Both team/couple and general admission tickets are on sale now.
General admission tickets are $65 and team/couple tickets are $115.
Direct donations to MLK50 can also be made through the event website and at https://givebutter.com/rootedinmemphis.
Let’s gather, eat, drink, celebrate and uplift MLK50, Memphis and one another!
