On Monday, January 19, 2026, the Keene community is invited to come together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through reflection, learning, and dialogue at a special MLK Day Community Event, hosted by the Keene Human Rights Committee.
This year’s event centers on the powerful documentary Here Am I, Send Me: The Journey of Jonathan Daniels, a film that brings to life the story of Jonathan Myrick Daniels, a Keene native whose moral courage and sacrifice continue to resonate nearly 60 years later.
A Story Rooted in Keene — and the Civil Rights Movement
In the spring of 1965, Jonathan Daniels was a 26-year-old Episcopal seminarian who answered Dr. King’s call to support the movement for racial justice by helping register African American voters in Alabama. Just months later, Daniels was killed by a sheriff’s deputy. His final act was one of extraordinary bravery: shielding a young Black woman from gunfire, giving his life to save hers.
Dr. King later described Daniels’ actions as “one of the most heroic Christian deeds of which I have heard in my entire ministry and career for civil rights.”
The documentary, narrated by acclaimed actor Sam Waterston, is largely told through Daniels’ own written words and includes rare footage and interviews from leaders of the civil rights era. At 57 minutes, it offers a moving and accessible way to reflect on the personal cost of standing up for justice.
Community Conversation and Q&A
Following the screening, attendees are invited to stay for a “talk back” and Q&A with the film’s producers and directors, Lawrence Benaquist and William Sullivan. This conversation will provide space to reflect not only on Jonathan Daniels’ life, but also on what his story asks of us today — as individuals, neighbors, and a community.
Event Details
2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Event
📅 Monday, January 19, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 Heberton Hall, Keene Public Library
60 Winter Street, Keene, NH
🎟️ Free and open to the public
The Monadnock Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Coalition is honored to be listed as a sponsor of this meaningful event, alongside community partners committed to advancing human rights and belonging in our region.
As Dr. King reminded us, “The time is always right to do what is right.” We hope you’ll join us for an evening that honors that call — past, present, and future.