Today, January 16th, is Martin Luther King Day, a day that honors Dr. King’s legacy to the civil rights movement, community service, and non-violent opposition. The annual holiday has been observed since 1986.
How can we celebrate the national holiday dedicated to Dr. King? King has a history with the city, and the city in turn continues to celebrate his legacy with a bevy of events, donation drives, and more happening throughout the city. Here are a few ways you can celebrate Martin Luther King Day this year in Chicago.
The DuSable Museum is hosting an entire day of MLK Events Starting Monday at 10 a.m., the DuSable Museum will honor Dr. King with children’s storytimes, film screenings, and a reel of elder stories.
With live musical performances and a pop-up exhibit dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement, this event will also feature a ’50 bus (provided by PACE ) outside the museum in honor of Rosa Parks. Address: DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th Place
Attend a service at the Stone Temple Baptist Church, the historically Black church that King himself preached at. The MLK event is back for the first time in person after a two-year virtual version. Anyone interested in attending can send an email to JCRC1@juf.org to attend the 10:30 a.m. service. Address: Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 3622 W. Douglas Blvd.
Head to the Chicago History Museum for an MLK Day family event.
Taking place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the day’s event includes activities, a community fair, live performances, film screenings, and more highlighting information about King’s life and his work in Chicago with the Chicago Freedom Movement. The free event is filled with events, and a full schedule can be found online as museum admission will be waived for Illinois residents on MLK Day. Address: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.
Or, attend UCSC’s King Day of Service from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and head to the University of Chicago’s Community Service Center to volunteer. The day of service includes projects, like a mural painting by local artists beautification projects, and clean-ups around the community. around Bronzeville. Projects will include a mural painting led by a local artist, and beautification projects that include creating supply bags for people experiencing homelessness. If you’re interested in attending, register online beforehand. Address: Martin Luther King High School, 4445 S. Drexel Blvd.
From 10 a.m. to noon, My Block, My Hood, My City is hosting an MLK Day of Service collecting winter gear, protective equipment, home goods, and food for 500 elderly people across Chicago to honor King.
If you’re interested in volunteering at the event or want to make donations or deliveries, check out their official site. Address: 8350 S. King Drive
If you’re looking for something active, why not go on a bike ride to visit historical places relevant to Dr. King in and around North Lawndale? Presented by The Go Hub, the North Lawndale Racial Justice Ride starts Monday at 10 a.m. Tickets are free! Address: Lawndale Christian Health Center, 3860 W. Ogden Ave.