How the Stars Are Celebrating MLK Day

Jan. 19, 2015— -- The holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr took on a special resonance this year in the wake of the Oscar-nominated film "Selma" and the continuing protests over the recent police killings of unarmed black men.

Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo and other members of the "Selma" cast Sunday marched in Selma, Alabama, retracing the route that King took nearly 50 years ago when he led thousands of marchers over the Edmund Pettus Bridge on their way to Montgomery, paving the way for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

"I'm so excited that once again I get to march across the bridge not as portraying Annie Lou Cooper but as standing in the shoes and on the shoulders of everyone who came before us," Winfrey, who is also one of the film's producers, told marchers before they walked up the bridge as the sun went down over the Alabama River. "Every single person who was on the bridge is a hero."

Winfrey was joined by the film's director, Ava DuVernay, the rapper Common, who also starred in the film, and singer John Legend.

Common and Legend also performed their Oscar-nominated song "Glory" from the film, as marchers crested the top of the bridge.

The filmmakers and cast were at the White House Friday for a special screening of the film. Today, the film's distributor, Paramount Pictures, is hosting two free screenings in Selma.

Thanks to a fund created by African-American business leaders in New York, other cities, including Washington, D.C., Boston, Nashville, Philadelphia and San Francisco, are also hosting free screenings for students.

On television, viewers tuning into MTV today will notice that all the programming is in black and white. It's part of the channel's #TheTalk initiative, encouraging viewers to discuss race with their friends and family. The 12-hours of programming will include personal reflections on race from entertainers and public officials, including Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Jordin Sparks, Pete Wentz, Sen. Rand Paul, Rep. John Lewis, Sen. Cory Booker and "Selma" director DuVernay and star Oyelowo.

Many stars also took to social media to honor King's holiday, including DuVernay, who posted a special Instagram message to King on his actual birthday, Jan. 15, the day the Oscar nominations were announced.

"Happy Birthday, Dr. King. An Oscar gift for you. To SELMA cast + crew led by our miracle David Oyelowo! To @Common + @JohnLegend! Kudos! March on!" she wrote.

Niecy Nash, who also starred in "Selma," tweeted Monday:

Bill Clinton:

T.D. Jakes:

Eriq LaSalle:

Forest Whitaker:

John Lewis: