Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: MLK Day Of Service Inspires Community Upliftment
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 across America in 2000, as reported by USA Today. Following King’s assassination in 1968, Congressman John Conyers, who also 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 Dr. 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 promoting the shared values of service through its event of beautifying the Sojourner Truth and Perry Street Prep Public Charter School charter schools within the Northeast D.C. area. 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 often times need uplift in the serious work they do to educate our children,” shared Elicia Pegues-Spearman, the director of the North Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The group leader also shared that this day to support initiatives under attack, such as education and reproductive justice, is “of upmost importance.” King’s wife, Coretta Scott-King, was an honorary member of the service organization.
The King Center in Atlanta, Georgia will also host in-person ceremonies and events to honor the legendary man, with this year’s theme being “It Starts With Me: Shifting The Cultural Climate Through The Study And Practice Of Kingian Nonviolence.” A service held at the famed Ebenezer Baptist Church will be conducted on Jan. 15, King’s actual Birthday, as well as streamed live for national viewing.
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