TIME Impact Dinner — Advancing the Dream

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026, TIME brought together an extraordinary group of artists, storytellers and civil rights leaders in Los Angeles for Advancing the Dream: From Healing to Action—an intimate evening honoring Dr. King’s legacy while looking toward the work still ahead.

Backhand Productions was proud to help bring the evening to life, working alongside TIME and its production partners to create an experience that was thoughtful, personal and deeply moving. The program featured Colman Domingo, Dolores Huerta, aja monet and other influential voices, culminating in an unforgettable performance by Stevie Wonder.

The evening came full circle as Wonder—whose music and advocacy helped build momentum for establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday—performed “Happy Birthday” with a choir and the entire room joining in. It was one of those rare live-event moments where history, music and purpose all came together in the same room.