By Tyler Nicole Smith, Director of Racial Justice & Equity
On January 20, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his enduring messages of progress, justice, and resilience in the face of adversity.
In light of the recent devastation caused by wildfires in the historically Black communities of Pasadena and Altadena, I want to take this opportunity to highlight a lesser-known connection between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the area.
Unknown to many, Dr. King visited Pasadena three times during the Civil Rights Movement. This history underscores the region’s unique role in the Civil Rights Movement—and remind us of the strength and resilience of these communities.
1958: A Visit to Caltech
Dr. King’s first visit to Pasadena was in 1958, when he was invited by Caltech’s Leaders of America program, co-sponsored by the YMCA. He spent several days on campus, engaging with faculty and delivering multiple lectures. On February 25, 1958, Dr. King gave two notable speeches: “A Great Time to Be Alive” and “Facing the Challenges of a New Age,” where he outlined his philosophy of nonviolence and nonresistance.
At the time, Caltech had very few Black students, but Dr. King’s presence provided an opportunity for white undergraduates to confront racial injustice firsthand.
1960: A Sermon Amid Tensions
In 1960, Dr. King returned to Pasadena at the invitation of Reverend Marvin T. Robinson, then-pastor of Friendship Baptist Church.
Friendship Baptist Church, established in 1893, has long been a cornerstone of the Black communities in Pasadena and Altadena. Located near the historic Hotel Carver and the Onyx Club—a Black-owned establishment that hosted music legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Clora Bryant in the 1940s and 1950s—the church served as a hub for civil rights activism during Dr. King’s era.
Dr. King’s 1960 visit was marked by a violent act of racism in neighboring Altadena, where strangers burned an 18-foot cross on the lawn of a Black family and hurled beer bottles at their door.
On February 21, 1960, Dr. King delivered a powerful sermon at Friendship Baptist Church, expanding upon his Caltech messaging while addressing the heightened racial tensions. The congregation, deeply moved by his words, embraced his vision of justice and equality.
1965: A Call for Accountability
Dr. King’s third and final visit to Pasadena occurred in July 1965, once again at Friendship Baptist Church. Pastor Robinson introduced him as the “Moses of the 20th Century.” In this sermon, Dr. King criticized both Black and white churches for their reluctance to embrace change, citing racism, classism, and “emotionalism” as barriers to progress. His words were both a challenge and a call to action for religious institutions to play a greater role in the fight for civil rights.
Legacy and Reflection
As advocates for those living in poverty, we are acutely aware of the devastation and hardship that may lie ahead, particularly for our community members of color. We draw strength from Dr. King’s words, spoken at the 34th Annual Convention of the National Bar Association in 1959:
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a casual look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
As we honor Dr. King’s legacy, let us draw inspiration from his words and actions while supporting the ongoing recovery of Pasadena and Altadena’s historically Black neighborhoods.
