Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed this year on Jan. 20, is a federal holiday and national day of service for Americans to commemorate the legacy of the prominent Civil Rights leader.
Ahead of the holiday — also falling on Inauguration Day — The Chronicle compiled a list of opportunities to celebrate King’s life and continue his tradition of service at Duke and in Durham.
Attend Duke Chapel’s MLK Commemoration
U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell, a prosecutor on the team that won a murder conviction in the case of George Floyd’s death, will deliver the keynote address at the University’s annual MLK Commemoration Sunday, hosted in the Chapel. The theme of this year’s service is “Hope Powered by Community: Protecting King’s Dream through Determination and Unity.”
The event will begin at 3 p.m. and is open to the public. It will also be livestreamed on YouTube and the event’s website for those who are unable to attend in person.
Pack backpacks for those in need
Duke students are invited to pack 300 backpacks with toiletries and winter supplies for Durham community members in need Monday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Wilson Gym. Registration is open for 50 Duke students and 50 Duke student-athletes.
This activity is hosted by The Backpack Project — a service organization founded by a Duke student — in partnership with Duke Athletics, Duke Community Affairs and Duke Facilities.
Participate in a community cleanup
Keep Durham Beautiful offers several community cleanup opportunities between Friday and Monday to commemorate the national holiday. Volunteers can register to help clean roads, neighborhoods and other community spaces around Durham.
A full list of cleanup opportunities is available on the organization’s website in addition to registration information. Keep Durham Beautiful will provide all the necessary supplies for volunteers.
Engage in community service with Activate Good
As part of their Dignity Week celebration, Activate Good is hosting a variety of service opportunities in Durham and the greater Triangle area between Friday and Jan. 25. Opportunities include preparing diapers to distribute to families in need, volunteering at Durham food banks and helping to provide showers, haircuts and supplies to the unhoused community.
Those interested in volunteering can view and sign up for service opportunities on Activate Good’s website.
Prepare meals for individuals in need
On Monday, members of the Duke community can join the Rotary Club to help package over 150,000 meals to be distributed in Durham, Orange, Wake and Johnston Counties. The event will take place from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Duke School on Erwin Road.
Duke-affiliated individuals can sign up through the event’s website. Volunteer spots are limited, and those participating are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to local food pantries.
Volunteer with United Way of the Triangle
Also on Monday, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., students are invited to make Valentine’s Day cards for Meals on Wheels recipients, pack Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math kits with Empower All and participate in a group art project with Artspace.
These service opportunities are offered as part of United Way of the Greater Triangle's MLK Day of Service event, which also features community engagement workshops and panels. Attendance is free, but tickets can be reserved through the event’s website. The event will take place at 721 N Raleigh Blvd. in Raleigh.
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Attend Durham’s MLK Observance Program
On Jan. 28, Anthony Lewis, superintendent for Durham Public Schools, will deliver the keynote address at the annual Durham City-County MLK Jr. Employee Observance Program. Local leaders and elected officials will also deliver remarks, and musical selections will be provided by singer, songwriter and violinist Kimberly Michelle.
The event is free and open to the public. The program will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 305 E. Main St. in downtown Durham.
Holly Keegan is a Trinity junior and a senior editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.