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Peninsula residents gathered across the region Monday – on trains, at community centers and museums – to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr., reverend and civil rights leader who promoted peace and togetherness.
The federal holiday, which happened to coincide with President Donald Trump’s inauguration this year, took on more profound meaning to inspire nonviolence and civic engagement amid a changing political landscape.
While last year’s presidential election may have left people divided, those leading MLK Day celebrations say the key to unity is educating oneself on history, keeping positive and serving local communities to maintain a sense of wellbeing and connectivity.
Redwood City
Thousands of knickknacks, magazines, cereal boxes and pieces of memorabilia lined the long tables inside Redwood City’s Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center.
As people slowly strolled the aisles, eyeing pieces of history honoring the Black community’s inventions, accomplishments and struggles alike – Martin Luther King Jr.’s words echoed throughout the 22,000-square-foot space.
“We can have over 80 people in this room at a time, but as they walk through the aisles, they feel connected through history,” said Carolyn Hoskins, founder of the museum.
On MLK Day, museum staff set out to create a calm space, where people could learn about history and reflect as they listened to his speeches.
Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, helped allocate $2 million to the museum in February 2024, and months later, it made Redwood City its permanent home.
Now, Hoskins encourages all to visit the museum to ask questions and learn more about civil rights history and how all nationalities have had a stake in making America what it is today, she said.
Ahead of the presidential inauguration, which has sparked polarizing debates across the nation, Hoskins advised people to “keep positive.”
“Today, we honor a man with so much character, who cared for all nationalities and wanted everyone to thrive, compared to a man who places his hand on the Bible and attempts to get rid of Constitutional rights.”
While it can be easy to become overwhelmed with media and politics these days, she said, education is the key to progression.
“This is not new,” she said. “African Americans, Native Americans, Jews, so many of us, have been fighting for freedom throughout history, and the fight is not over. We will continue to let our voices be heard.”
The museum, packed floor to ceiling, with items like posters, bobble heads and cabbage patch dolls, is broken down into over 300 categories. And the memorabilia is intentionally left in the open, rather than behind glass cases, so guests can feel as close as possible to the historical items and their history.
Hoskins takes inspiration from King, and hopes to inspire civil discourse and action through community events like monthly discussions on topical issues. But Monday was no different than any other, she said.
“We celebrate his life here every day at the museum,” Hoskins said.
Palo Alto, East Palo Alto
“Our world, our local communities, still face many challenges, poverty, inequality and decent housing, but the answer to these challenges, as Dr. King literally showed us, lies in the power of service to others,” said Palo Alto Mayor Ed Lauing at Mitchell Park on Monday.
Hundreds of people attended a joint MLK Day event with the city of Palo Alto, city of East Palo Alto and nonprofit Youth Community Service to celebrate local culture and dedication to service.
Local nonprofits – like Alcove, the Ecumenical Hunger Program, Rotary clubs, We Hope and more – lined the Mitchell Park courtyard, inviting attendees to learn about local service opportunities and discuss the holiday.
“We set out to bring people together to build connections and make sure that people know who their neighbors are, and know what resources are in their community,” said Ashley Yee-Mazawa, Youth Community Service senior director.
Youth-led organizations like Let’s Talk Unite, which is dedicated to combating polarization, honored King by starting discussions at the event.
Youth leaders with the organization asked questions like “what assumptions do people make about your racial/ethnic group?”
Colorful sticky notes surrounded the question pasted on the wall, reading things like “not nice,” “that we are all super smart,” and “terrorism.”
Charlotte Kofman, co-president of the organization and student at the Kehillah School, said she noticed parents and students alike reflecting on the questions deeply.
“Kids being able to reflect on their biases and personal experiences at such a young age encourages us even more to want to make a difference.”
The event also featured performances by local students and community members who sang, danced traditional Mexican Folklorico dances and performed spoken word.
Samina Sundas, left, and Barbara Stroud, right, embrace as they sing peace and justice songs in celebration of MLK Day at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Menlo-Atherton High School students Ashley Mobley, left, and Layla Ortiz, right, set out mini canvases for community members to paint during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Gathering at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park Community Center on Jan. 20, 2025. The 16-year-olds were motivated to set up their own booth at the event to give community members the opportunity to embrace their creativity. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Neel Beedu performs the song “Yellow” by Coldplay at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Gathering at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park Community Center on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
A family reads through questions and community responses at a booth at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Gathering at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park Community Center on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Deborah Levoy, left, leads an audience in peace and justice songs in celebration of MLK Day at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park on Jan. 21, 2025. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
East Palo Alto Mayor Martha Barragan speaks to an audience at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Gathering at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park Community Center on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Audience members applaud a performance at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Gathering at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park Community Center on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
From left to right, TIDE Academy Ballet Folklórico dancers Daniela Gutierrez and Abigail Medina perform at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Gathering at Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park Community Center on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.
“The work isn’t done,” Yee-Mazawa said. “We need to know our history in order to continue the work.”
Caltrain hosted its MLK Celebration Train on Monday, offering free rides up the Peninsula to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day March in San Francisco – around 300 passengers used the service in Palo Alto.
Locals poured off the trains in San Francisco wearing MLK T-shirts and holding signs reading, “I have a dream,” and “smile.”
Riders were able to ask questions about the holiday to event volunteers in partnership with the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation.
“This is an annual event, which pays tribute to the 54-mile 1965 Selma to Montgomery March that Caltrain has been proud to participate in since it was first launched with the late Coretta Scott King in 1985,” said Dan Lieberman, Caltrain spokesperson.
Passengers ride Caltrain’s free MLK Celebration Train on Jan. 20, 2024. Courtesy of Dan Lieberman 
Volunteers and passengers ride Caltrain’s free MLK Celebration Train on Jan. 20, 2024. Courtesy of Dan Lieberman 
Passengers exit Caltrain’s free MLK Celebration Train on Jan. 20, 2024. Courtesy of Dan Lieberman 
Passengers exit Caltrain’s free MLK Celebration Train on Jan. 20, 2024. Courtesy of Dan Lieberman 
Passengers exit Caltrain’s free MLK Celebration Train on Jan. 20, 2024. Courtesy of Dan Lieberman 
Volunteers and passengers ride Caltrain’s free MLK Celebration Train on Jan. 20, 2024. Courtesy of Dan Lieberman
Stanford University will conclude its MLK celebrations with a fireside chat on Wednesday, with Professor Lerone A. Martin and Joyce Sackey, who will discuss health equity through the lens of King’s dream.
People can RSVP for the event on Stanford University’s website, to attend the 3 p.m. event on Jan. 22 in-person at Stanford Historic Campus’s Neuro Research Complex, Rotunda E241, via Zoom or at an in-person livestream event on campus.
Editor’s note: This version corrects the spelling of Ashley Yee-Mazawa’s name.
