MTV Will Broadcast in Black and White in Honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, MTV will air its programming tomorrow, Jan. 19, in black and white. The network wants to get millennials talking about race as part of its #TheTalk campaign. It will mark the first time the music television network will broadcast sans color in 34 years, the Associated Press reports.

"The device of turning us black and white is going to be really, visually a jolt to say, you know what, there are differences and if we are going to ever get to a freer, more equal society, the best thing we can begin to do is talk about them," MTV President Stephen Friedman said.

Actors, musicians and public officials will join in on the conversation as well. Kendrick Lamar; Big Sean; Jordin Sparks; Pete Wentz; U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.; U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.; U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Selma director Ava DuVernay; and actor David Oyelowo will offer their views on race relations.

"We thought what better day than MLK Day to really use not only the history and the power of what Dr. King said with the 'I Have a Dream' speech, but hear it from artists, political leaders and the audience to really spark a national conversation," Friedman added.

MTV launched an initiative in April called Look Different, a campaign aimed at young people talking about race, sexuality and gender issues. Look Different partnered with the NAACP to create commercials following the death of Michael Brown. MTV also premiered a special about transgender individuals with Laverne Cox, an actor on Orange Is the New Black.

The black-and-white broadcast will run for 12 hours.

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MTV, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Jordin Sparks, Pete wentz