Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: MLK Day Of Service Inspires Community Upliftment

MLK Day of Service will feature people across the nation and the world volunteering to better their communities.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy of civil rights and social justice are honored worldwide on the day named in his honor. MLK Day of Service is a call to action for many service organizations to continue working in the shared mission of communal upliftment.

Although established federally in 1986, the holiday only became upheld in all 50 states in 2000, according to USA Today.

Following King’s assassination in 1968, Congressman John Conyers, who helped to establish the Congressional Black Caucus, fought for 15 years to mark a day to honor the civil rights icon. The holiday has since emerged as something that recognizes King’s efforts in racial justice and for individuals and groups to better their communities through service.

One organization taking part in the charitable festivities is the Rho Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The organization, part of the cohort of nine African American collegiate sororities and fraternities, is beautifying the Sojourner Truth and Perry Street Prep Public charter schools in northeast Washington, D.C.

According to WTOP News, they are also taking donations to support the students and faculty at the educational centers.

“Volunteers will write encouraging notes to teachers who oftentimes need uplift in the serious work they do to educate our children,” said Elicia Pegues-Spearman, director of the North Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Pegues-Spearman added that this day is also to support initiatives under attack, such as education and reproductive justice.

The King Center in Atlanta will also host in-person ceremonies and events to honor King. This year’s theme is “It Starts With Me: Shifting The Cultural Climate Through The Study And Practice Of Kingian Nonviolence.” A service will be held at the famed Ebenezer Baptist Church Jan. 15, King’s actual birthday, and streamed live for national viewing.