A look at some events and ideas for a day of service in memory of Dr. King’s work.
By Gregory Pings, manager, Content Marketing, Xerox
January 20 will mark the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday in the United States. It’s an opportunity, according to MLKDay.gov, for Americans to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service. The website notes: “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.”
The Day of Service lasts for much more than a day. Here’s a look at some of the ways that people around the U.S. honor Dr. King and his cause for equality. Of course, not all events were publicized on Twitter. For instance, the Rochester Black Employees Association – a caucus of Xerox employees in Monroe County, New York – is hosting its Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Luncheon today (January 17). The sold out event will acknowledge three leaders who, in keeping with Dr. King’s legacy of service, have left their mark on Xerox and the Rochester community.
Share Please share your events, and your thoughts on Dr. King’s work, in our comments section. We’d love to hear from you.
Tributes
“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
Auburn University to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with tribute, integration commemoration events http://t.co/BMLf8cnNXW #wireeagle
— Auburn University (@AuburnU) January 13, 2014
@KingCenterATL: “We are honoring @XeroxCorp for setting the private sector’s highest standards of #diversity” http://t.co/HvhD9BTBP1
— IRI (@IRIweb) January 16, 2014
What Does #MLK Mean To You? http://t.co/1PZzcPJCmm Tell us in #sixwords! #MLKDay #mlkday2014 #MLKDream #equality
— Six Words from SMITH (@sixwords) January 13, 2014
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration begins Monday, Jan. 20: http://t.co/s52TjRbNPi #FerrisMLK
— Ferris State Univ. (@FerrisState) December 30, 2013
1/20/14: MLK “Day of Service” 2014 | Volunteer In The Parks – FREE http://t.co/14HpOxWo2a
— Johnny Funcheap (@johnnyfuncheap) January 14, 2014
#YorkPA events to honor Martin Luther King Jr.: http://t.co/eeT4Xc1Q0e@crispusattucks@unitedwayofyork#MLK#MLKDay
— flipsidepa (@flipsidepa) January 14, 2014
Service to Community
“… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant …” – Matthew 20:26
Register your #MLKDay service project so #volunteers can find you! http://t.co/H883kdLapl
— MLK Day (@MLKDay) November 25, 2013
.Join us next Monday to celebrate #MLKDay by serving our community. @MLKDay @OxfordVolunteer @OleMissRebels pic.twitter.com/ej5XjvP7Ni
— McLean Institute UM (@McLeanUM) January 13, 2014
Make #MLKDay2014 a “day on,” not a “day off.” Find a volunteer opportunity at http://t.co/qiBtxiWqQL
— HandsOn Network (@HandsOnNetwork) January 14, 2014
Have you seen the new #AllforGood site? Head over now to find new ways to start doing some good this #MLKDay2014 http://t.co/TPXxmIingp #afg
— Points of Light (@PointsofLight) January 14, 2014
Give an Hour Calls on Mental Health Professionals to Volunteer Counseling to Military and Veterans http://t.co/QOYaZ7ORup #MLKDay2014
— GiveanHour (@GiveAnHour) January 13, 2014
Serve with us on Jan. 20! Find #MLKDay of Service Projects in your area at http://t.co/p4qeQzRn6b
— United We Serve (@ServeDotGov) January 14, 2014
Take a Stand
“How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Our God is Marching On!
Let’s #choosenonviolence on #mlkday2014 by “No Shot’s Fired”, no forms of violence – make the logo your profile pic pic.twitter.com/yz1ZiTeFGs
— The King Center (@KingCenterATL) January 5, 2014
I returned to my office lighter, almost with a bounce, after attending the MLK Luncheon cited above.
The very crowded Inn on Broadway Luncheon underscored my Xerox pride!
– In the gracious, humble and emotional acknowledgement from our legacy award recipients
– In the Caucus group lesson that was delivered to the community, as another example of Xerox – a pioneer company for Caucus groups (aka Employee Resource Group (ERG) or Affinity groups)
– In the theme & key message – “Transforming the Dream into Action.” It is true – the “Dreamer” is no more; the question is “what are YOU doing to serve?”
I am truly inspired by the continued Xerox support for Diversity and Inclusion – even as we extend beyond our proverbial walls, to impact the communities that we live in.