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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Historic Visits to Winston-Salem

Did you know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Winston-Salem twice during the Civil Rights Movement? Continue reading to discover more about his visits and learn about upcoming events that commemorate his legacy.

Martin Luther King visits Winston-Salem. (Winston-Salem Journal)
Martin Luther King visits Winston-Salem. Photo courtesy of the Winston-Salem Journal.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Winston-Salem Visits

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s first visit to Winston-Salem was on October 11, 1962. He gave a speech at Wake Forest University’s Wait Chapel about the integration of the South, which was timely considering the school had just admitted its first Black student that year.

You can listen to the speech he delivered exclusively at the Z. Smith Reynolds Library on Wake Forest’s campus.

The second time Dr. King visited Winston-Salem was on April 13, 1964, at Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church. Over 1,000 people attended to hear his speech, which focused on voting and nonviolent protests.

Pro-tip: You can visit the church to find a marker commemorating the event.

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. 2025 Events

Several events are taking place to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy in Winston-Salem.

Witness For Justice: MLK Service | Mount Tabor United Methodist Church | Sunday, Jan 19 | 4 PM

  • Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy through song and spoken word at a multicultural and intergenerational service.

 

Magnolia Shoebox Lunch N Learn | Union Station | Monday, Jan 20 | Sessions available from 9 AM – 2 PM

  • Learn how Black travelers in the Jim Crow era would eat when there wasn’t a safe place to stop in this VR experience.

 

MLK Prayer Breakfast | Benton Convention Center | Monday, Jan 20 | 7:30 AM

  • Join the Winston-Salem Chronicle for breakfast and prayer.

 

MLK Birthday Celebration | Hanesbrands Theatre | Monday, Jan 20 | 7 PM

  • NC Black Rep brings performing arts talent from across the Triad! Admission is free with three non-perishable food donations.

 

Tonality Concert | Wake Forest University, Wait Chapel | Monday, Jan 20 | 7:30 PM

  • Tonality, a vocal ensemble, will perform “America Will Be.”
  • The ensemble will be joined by the WSSU Singing Rams, the WFU Chamber Choir, and a string quintet from WFU’s Symphony Orchestra.

 

MLK Day Read-In | Wake Forest University, Benson University Center | Saturday, Jan 25 | 10 AM | Registration closes Monday, Jan 20

  • Children K-5th grade are paired with a “Reading Buddy,” who leads them through educational activities.

 

Interested in learning more about Winston-Salem’s history? Check out our museum guide!

 

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