Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil-rights activist who had a seismic impact on race relations in the United States, beginning in the mid-1950s. Among his many efforts, King headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Through his activism and inspirational speeches, he played a pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African American citizens in the United States, as well as the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. He continues to be remembered as one of the most influential and inspirational African American leaders in history. (source: https://www.biography.com/activist/martin-luther-king-jr)

Local Events:

2023 King Holiday Observance Kick Off Reception

January 10, 6p-8p 

Location: The King Center: 449 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30312

The Kick-Off Reception serves as the opening event for the 2023 King Holiday Observance and is an invitation to the public to join us in celebrating and commemorating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All are invited to this gathering and celebration of the 2023 King Holiday Observance.

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-king-holiday-observance-kick-off-reception-tickets-478339776147

Beloved Community Virtual Youth Book Reading and Puppetry Presentation

January 11, 10a-11a

Location: Online

During this inspirational and exciting reading of “The Little Bucket”, students will have the chance to learn how to create the Beloved Community. The Litte Bucket is a story to help children have a sense of their own inner wonder and connect to their own imagination. As a beginning place for self-awareness, children learn to set healthy boundaries, identify their feelings (mad, sad, glad, afraid), and learn safely express all of their feelings appropriately, and even be good listeners in the process. 

Special Guests: Jeffrey Bates, Author & Illustrator, Jimmica Collins , Puppetry Artist Meeka the Bunny, Moderator

 Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beloved-community-virtual-youth-book-reading-and-puppetry-presentation-tickets-478446906577

The 2023 Beloved Community Awards and Afterglow

January 14, 7:30pm – 11:59pm 

Location: 265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

The King Center presents the 2023 Beloved Community Awards at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta

 The Beloved Community Awards is one of the marquee events of The King Center’s week-long annual King holiday experience. The awards recognize national and international individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, pursuit of social justice, and commitment to creating the Beloved Community in the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.

 This event is cocktail attire. There will be a pre-reception from 6PM- 7:15PM. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served, there is no seated dinner.

Link: https://www.universe.com/events/the-2023-beloved-community-awards-and-afterglow-tickets-PBTM0V

Beloved Community Commemorative Service

 January 16, 10am – 12pm

Location: Ebenezer Baptist Church: 101 Jackson Street Northeast, Atlanta

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service is the spiritual hallmark of the King Holiday Observance. The service is an ecumenical endeavor that is held on the Federal Holiday at Ebenezer Baptist Church located near The King Center. Free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

Link: https://thekingcenter.org/events/

City of East Point Presents: 5th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

January 16, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location: Jefferson Park Recreation Center 1431 Norman Berry Drive East Point, GA

The City of East Point presents its 5th Annual MLK Day of Service event on January 16, 2023. Admission is Free.

 Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service-tickets-500270682077?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

MLK Day of Service - Keep Cobb Beautiful: Adopt-A-Mile

 January 16, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Riverside EpiCenter 135 Riverside Parkway Austell, GA

Keep Cobb Beautiful: Adopt-A-Mile cleanup efforts in memory of MLK Holiday. This is a community cleanup service effort to beautify a 1-mile stretch of Riverside Parkway. Your involvement brings together volunteers who dedicate time to beautifying their community by adopting a 1 mile stretch. This is a collaborative effort to help us Keep Cobb Beautiful through common unity involvement and service in tribute to the legacy of MLK JR.

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-day-of-service-keep-cobb-beautiful-adopt-a-mile-tickets-500200712797?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

2023 Morehouse MLK Week - Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration

January 16, 9:00 AM – January 31, 11:00 AM

Location: Morehouse College 830 Westview Drive Southwest Atlanta, GA

The Annual Morehouse College Martin Luther King Commemoration is a multicultural experience designed to educate the world on his historical and contemporary impact, engage the global community on issues of equity, and celebrate his legacy.

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-morehouse-mlk-week-martin-luther-king-jr-commemoration-tickets-508290108397?aff=ebdssbdestsearch