In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as such.
The MLK Day of Service calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”
On a local level, sites all over United Way of South Central Michigan’s region are hosting opportunities for volunteers to embrace the day as one of service. Additional celebrations, educational opportunities and virtual gatherings are planned in honor of Dr. King. We encourage you to get involved – volunteer your time, watch a webinar, attend a celebration, or just spend some time reflecting.
Here are just a few of the opportunities you’ll find within our region.
Kalamazoo
January 16: 2023 MLK Day of Service, hosted by the City of Kalamazoo and the Volunteer Center of Greater Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Sign up to volunteer: https://go.gryphon.org/aem/general/event/?doc_id=6377
January 16, 11am-3pm at South Ballroom, Trimpe Building, Western Michigan University: MLK 2023 Annual Daytime Teach-In, The Fierce Urgency of Now. https://wmich.edu/walkerinstitute/events
January 16, 6pm: An Evening with Jemele Hill- As a part of WMU’s 2023 MLK Celebration, themed The Fierce Urgency of Now, we welcome nationally acclaimed speaker, podcaster, and journalist Jemele Hill. Ms. Hill will come to Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium for a conversation and community discussion. Ms. Hill, a Michigan native, recently released her memoir Up Hill, available now. For tickets and information visit https://www.millerauditorium.com/jemele-hill-mlk-jr-event
Additional 2023 MLK Celebration information at WMU: https://wmich.edu/mlk
Battle Creek
January 16: 2023 MLK Day of Service, hosted by the City of Kalamazoo and the Volunteer Center of Greater Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Sign up to volunteer: https://go.gryphon.org/aem/general/event/?doc_id=6377
January 16, 5:30pm: MLK Community Dinner & Program- Please join the IN PERSON Community Celebration in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Start the evening with a FREE dinner, and follow that with a program that highlights some of the great things happening in Calhoun County! Hosted by Harrington Helpers PCO at Marshall Opportunity High School. Visit https://www.battlecreekvisitors.org/event-detail/mlk-community-dinner-program/ for details.
Capital Area
January 16, 11am at 333 E. Michigan Ave: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid Michigan- A Day of Celebration at the Lansing Center. For tickets or to purchase an ad visit https://mlkmidmichigan.com/day-of-celebration
January 16, 9am-12pm at Allen Neighborhood Center, Lansing: 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Day of Service. For more information to sign up visit https://stayhappening.com/e/2023-martin-luther-king-jr-community-day-of-service-E3LUXLS81RQ7
January 12-20, Michigan State University Events: For information on events happening during these dates, visit https://inclusion.msu.edu/awards/mlk-commemorative-celebration/mlk-calendar.html
Jackson
January 14, 4:30pm at Jackson College Central Campus, Victor Cuiss Fieldhouse: Jackson College invites the community to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its annual celebration. The theme for the evening will be “Drum Major for Justice, Peace & Righteousness,” with keynote speaker Angela Thompkins, vice president and chief diversity officer for Consumers Energy. For tickets and information visit https://www.jccmi.edu/events/mlk23/
January 13, 7:30am-9am at American 1 Event Center: MLK Diversity Breakfast. “To promote community collaboration to reflect Dr. King’s dream and to motivate youth for service and excellence. Join on January 13 to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The event will include breakfast, as well as the opportunity to hear from this year’s speakers, the Willis Family.” To register, visit https://bit.ly/3Zae7Wa
January 16, 10am at Greater Bible Way Temple (322 Madison St., Jackson MI): The Jackson County Branch NAACP MLK Day of Service. Hosted by Dr. Ken Harris, President and CEO of The Nation Urban League and the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce. Lunch to be served following.