At TIME’s 2026 Impact Dinner, leaders from entertainment, activism, and philanthropy gathered to honor MLK Jr.’s legacy—and confront the unfinished fight for justice.
Four decades after the first observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the fight for civil rights and racial equity remains as urgent as ever. At TIME’s Impact Dinner in Los Angeles, titled “Advancing the Dream — From Healing to Action,” artists, activists, and philanthropists gathered to reflect on King’s legacy and the work still ahead. The event underscored a critical truth: while progress has been made, the dream King articulated in 1963 is far from realized.
The Power of Storytelling in Justice
For Colman Domingo, the Emmy-winning actor and director, King’s dream is intrinsically tied to storytelling. “It’s shaped by language, by clarity, by conviction,” Domingo said, emphasizing the role of artists in naming injustice and strengthening human connections. His remarks highlighted the dual responsibility of creators: to challenge oppressive systems and to amplify marginalized voices.
Domingo’s toast also honored his Rustin co-star Aml Ameen, who portrayed King in the 2023 biopic. Their collaboration, Domingo noted, was a testament to the power of collective action—a theme central to King’s philosophy. “We get up again and again,” he urged, “and we make this world bend a little further toward justice.”
A Legacy of Collective Action
Dolores Huerta, the labor and civil rights icon, reminded attendees that King’s legacy was built alongside countless others. She honored figures like Bayard Rustin and Coretta Scott King, whose efforts were pivotal in establishing the national holiday. Huerta’s call to action—“¡Sí se puede!”—echoed King’s belief in persistent, unified struggle.
Her words resonated with Stevie Wonder, who closed the evening with a performance of “Visions” and “Happy Birthday,” the anthem he championed to make MLK Day a federal holiday. Wonder’s question—“What will it take for us to say enough is enough?”—underscored the urgency of the moment, as immigration crackdowns and racial violence continue to dominate headlines.
Art as a Catalyst for Change
Poet aja monet framed activism through the lens of music, invoking King’s “Drum Major Instinct” sermon. “The question we all must confront,” she said, “is who are we on the bandstand?” Her surrealist blues poetry served as a metaphor for collective resistance, urging attendees to “play like you know how to listen.”
For Ryan Alexander Holmes, the intersection of Black and Asian identity embodied King’s vision of unity. Reflecting on the 2020 racial justice movements, Holmes rejected the false dichotomy of “choosing sides,” instead embracing the shared struggle for equity—a dream passed down from his grandfather, whose life was also cut short by gun violence.
Why This Moment Matters
The TIME Impact Dinner wasn’t just a celebration; it was a call to arms. As La June Montgomery Tabron of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation noted, “Everything we’ve fought for hangs in the balance—but everything is possible.” The event’s focus on storytelling, collective action, and intergenerational solidarity offered a blueprint for advancing King’s dream in an era of division.
For fans of King’s legacy and advocates of social justice, the dinner’s message was clear: the work is ongoing, and the tools—art, activism, and community—are in our hands.
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