15 Captivating Photos Highlighting People and Locations on American Streets Named for Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo credit: www.smithsonianmag.com

Leah L. Jones

Lead Photographer, National Museum of African American History and Culture

On a crisp October afternoon in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, two long-time friends are refining the perfect recipe for guacamole. Khari B., a poet known by his stage name, and Dhe-Di Willoughby, a makeup artist and DJ, both share deep roots in this historic area. Although Willoughby has transitioned to a different neighborhood in Chicago, Khari B. returned after spending time away, seizing the chance to inhabit a charming coach house surrounded by the rich history and striking architecture that define Bronzeville, once labeled the Black Belt and the Black Metropolis.

“I’ve always wanted to live over here,” Khari B. shares as he deftly prepares the ingredients. The street they stand on holds historical significance as it was the very first in the nation to bear the name of Martin Luther King Jr.

In my ongoing project, spanning nearly a decade, I have been capturing through photography the essence of communities located on streets named after the civil rights leader. Nearly 57 years have passed since cities across the U.S. began honoring King posthumously by naming thoroughfares after him, yet many of these neighborhoods remain emblematic of the challenges surrounding segregation, marginalization, and socioeconomic struggles.

Research conducted in a 2020 study by Sweta Tiwari and Shrinidhi Ambinakudige explored the societal dynamics behind these streets, unveiling deeply-rooted racial stereotypes and socioeconomic disparities. The study analyzed info from 22,286 census blocks with MLK street names across the country, finding that these areas generally experience higher poverty levels, lower educational attainment, and substantial marginalization. The researchers noted, “Though the characteristics of MLK neighborhoods reflect their marginalized status, this status is itself the result of a broader process of racialization,” which feeds into negative stereotypes about African Americans and further stigmatizes these neighborhoods, often leading to property devaluation and neglect.

Reflecting on her childhood, Willoughby recalls a different narrative of the area. “I just remember it being rich with Black people,” she says, nostalgically noting that the intersection of 35th and King “was booming with stores.”

As a photographer drawn to the subtle strength found in everyday experiences, I sought to transcend mere statistics. Over a span of seven years, I captured images on streets commemorating King, visiting cities including Chicago, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Orlando, and Washington, D.C.

What I witnessed was life in its myriad forms—families gathered in worship, students engaged in learning, entrepreneurs fostering commerce, and community members cultivating their cultural narratives.

In Washington, D.C.’s Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, my camera became a bridge to the community. I encountered a variety of responses: some welcomed my lens, others were indifferent, and one person expressed frustration at outsiders taking pictures of the neighborhood. This moment compelled me to reflect deeply on my role as an observer. I recognized that while I may have felt a connection, I did not have the lived experience of the community. Henceforth, I committed to being transparent about my intentions, aiming to honor King’s legacy and share the stories of the streets named in his honor.

“I love my neighborhood,” Willoughby expresses passionately. “I can’t speak for the rest of the MLKs around the country, but ours is a rollercoaster. It’s a rollercoaster of history, and you can get a different response from anybody who experiences what it means to them.”

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching, I would like to share a selection of images from my journeys—each serving as a postcard from streets imbued with King’s legacy.

Chicago

Chicago-based poet and spoken-word musician Khari B. stands outside of his home on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the Bronzeville area on October 4, 2024. He expresses a desire to contribute to the preservation of Bronzeville’s rich community history.

A Chicago Public Schools crossing guard assists a child across Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the Bronzeville area on the same day.

Houston

A.B.’s Cuts & Styles barbershop situated on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Houston, captured in July 2018.

A bus stop positioned on Martin Luther King Boulevard in front of MacGregor Park, observed on November 28, 2024.

Kansas City

A mural honoring Martin Luther King Jr. located on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, taken in November 2019.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park straddles the intersections of Woodland Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, photographed in November 2019.

Milwaukee

A view of New Life in Christ-Church of God in Christ on North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee, documented in December 2017.

Construction workers are seen engaged in renovations on North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee, also captured in December 2017.

A cyclist is spotted riding near North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee, taken in December 2017.

Orlando

A neighborhood scene featuring Martin L. King Drive and Coretta Way in Orlando, Florida, captured in April 2018.

Hiawatha Sanders, originally from Philadelphia, Mississippi, has called Martin L. King Drive home in Orlando for approximately 40 years, as shown in this April 2018 photograph.

Washington, D.C.

Thurgood Marshall Academy stands on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue S.E. in Washington, D.C., photographed in July 2018.

A gas station sign displaying prices before a mural of King on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue S.E. in Washington, D.C., captured in July 2018.

The headquarters of the Washington Informer, an African American weekly publication, is situated on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue S.E. in Washington, D.C., captured in July 2018.

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