MLK, civil rights, and gospel music

January 19, 2025

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with an hour of gospel music from artists who performed on the Avenue, as we explore the connection between gospel music and the struggle for civil rights. 

Also hear an interview with the Indianapolis-based historic preservationist Claudia Polley, she attended King’s 1959 speech in the Avenue neighborhood.

Gospel music played a profound role in the civil rights movement, serving as both a source of spiritual nourishment and a rallying cry for social change. Enjoy music from local and national artists, including The Wandering Travelers, Staple Singers, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, Dorothy Love Coates, and more.