The 33rd Annual Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, at SGI-USA World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, Monday, January 15, 2018. SMC and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition Celebration hosted the #MLKDay celebration with keynote speaker Dr. Tommie C. Smith, the acclaimed gold medalist in the 200-meter sprint at the Games of the XIX Olympiad in Mexico City. The free event – one of the largest and most diverse celebrations of its kind in Southern California – was co-sponsored by the City of Santa Monica Government, SGI-USA(Official), Santa Monica College, SMC Associates, the RAND Corporation, CityTV Santa Monica, Santa Monica Public Library, the Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay Area, and a variety of other organizations, individuals, and corporate contributors. This year’s celebration marks the event’s 33rd anniversary and embraces the theme “Never Lose Hope: Unity Wins.” The multi-ethnic, interfaith program included inspirational readings, speakers, music, and Education Awards.