New York State’s annual commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be presented as a statewide broadcast event, “We Press On: New York State Celebrates the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” airing on PBS stations throughout New York beginning MLK weekend and streaming on empirestateplaza.ny.gov/nyking.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s powerful words and actions never cease to resonate in our hearts and minds, calling us to be the change we want to see in our societies every day,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a release from her office promoting the film. “This year’s film tribute to Dr. King shares the stories of some remarkable New Yorkers who uphold his legacy in their communities and strive towards a more just and equitable future for our state.”

Coordinated annually by the New York State Office of General Services, the tribute to King showcases a selection of people and organizations from across New York state that embody his principles.

The film, for example, includes a look at the Hamilton Hills Arts Center in Schenectady, which is focused on teaching and honoring the arts and cultures of the African Diaspora, and also includes a performance by Vogue Buffalo, a group dedicated to leading the Ballroom Renaissance for LGBTQ+ youth of Western New York.

The public is also invited to attend a screening of “We Press On” on Friday, Jan. 17, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Hosted by Deshanna C. Wiggins, chief executive officer for the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce, the event is free. Parking in the Visitors’ Lot will be free after 4 p.m.; the event starts at 6:30 p.m.

“In honor of Dr. King’s monumental work protecting freedom, justice and democracy for all, I encourage New Yorkers to watch this film, embrace the enduring messages against discrimination, hate and bias, and to contact the Division’s Hate and Bias Prevention Unit at 844-NO-2-HATE if they experience any instances of hate or bias in New York State,” said NYS Division of Human Rights Acting Commissioner Denise M. Miranda in the release. “Together, we can all work to be the shining stars of light in the darkness of injustice.”

“One of the principles that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. put into practice throughout his life is the belief that true character is revealed not during times of comfort and convenience, but during times of challenge and controversy,” said Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins in the release. “We can lean on these words during times of unrest and political polarization, that we must continue to hold onto our deeply held beliefs in the fight for justice ….

“We remain committed to advancing legislation that helps every individual gain a foot on the ladder, while undoing the policies which kept them off it in the first place. We will model grace and integrity from our positions, and bear in mind that the good fight is often a difficult one.”

As part of the celebrations, the public is invited to view the New York State Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Fine Arts and Essay Exhibition at the Empire State Plaza Concourse or online. This exhibition features submissions from K-12 students throughout the state inspired by Dr. King’s Six Principles of Nonviolence. A virtual gallery of the students' work is available at empirestateplaza.ny.gov/nyking.

Also, New York state holds several service-related programs each year to fulfill King’s vision of community. These include the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Food Drive, which runs through Feb. 18; the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statewide Book Drive, held Feb. 21 through April 18; and the 25th annual Dr. King Career Fair, held on Thursday, April 10.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer