Jerome Martin remembers being let out of school early the day Martin Luther King Jr. was shot.
“That day quickly turned into an atmosphere of doom, gloom and hopelessness,” he recalled.
At that time, Martin was in elementary school and living in Memphis. Now, some four decades later, he will play the part of Dr. King in the city’s third annual Black History Living Museum.
“I have admired Dr. King since I was a child, and I count it an honor just to try to impersonate him and bring him to life in the 21st century,” he said.
Locals will play the parts of other important figures in black history, like Civil War soldiers, Harriet Tubman, Jim Crow and President Barack Obama. Before the Living Museum begins at 6:30 p.m., black-history-inspired art created by teens and children from across the city will be on display starting at 6 p.m. Both events are taking place Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Carver Youth and Family Development Center, located at 600 Orchard Knob Ave.
“It’s a good event because whether it’s good, bad or indifferent, everyone needs to know their history,” Martin said. “If we don’t know our history, it’s hard to move forward for any group of people.”
The event is also an engaging way to educate the community on black history and the importance of events that took place in the South, particularly during the Civil Rights movement, he said. These educational opportunities are one of Youth and Family Development’s five focus areas, according to YFD public relations coordinator Brian Smith. But this event, in particular, is one that is powerful and moving, he said.
“When you see a small crowd react to Jerome, you can only imagine the reaction thousands of people had when Martin Luther King Jr. offered it the first time,” Smith said. “If I felt it there, I can only imagine what it would’ve been like then.”
In addition to the community performance, the Living Museum will be presented for the student body at Lookout Valley Elementary School later this month.
For more information, call 643-6096.