Martin Luther King Day 2023

 Martin Luther King Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/ observed on Monday, January 16th.

Martin Luther King Day also called MLK Day, King Day, and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Day is observed on the third Monday of January, which is close to King's actual birthday on January 15. The earliest Monday the holiday will ever be celebrated is January 15th and the latest is January 21st. The day is a federal United States holiday with all government and most business offices closed.

Martin Luther King, Jr was a Baptist minister and social activist that had a huge impact on the civil rights movement of the 1950’s in the United States. King was assassinated in 1968 and will be remembered for his non-violent protests against segregation and his “I have a Dream [1]” speech.[2]

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed MLK Day into law and 3 years later it was first observed. By the year 2000, all fifty states officially observed the day. Another related holiday back in 1948, National Freedom Day was signed into law by President Truman as a national observance recognizing the outlaw of slavery enacted earlier during 1865 under President Lincoln during the civil war years.

MLK Day of Service is a national day of service that focuses on human rights, racial equity and civic engagement. The third Monday in January is dedicated to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and with it come many opportunities to get involved and make an impact.

This year, mark your calendar for Jan. 16th  and make a plan to get involved. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

VOLUNTEER

Make MLK Day a Day On, not a Day Off by finding a volunteer opportunity. Volunteering is always needed, but on dedicated days like MLK Day, there are typically additional opportunities available. Community centers, schools, places of worship, food pantries and shelters near you may be hosting extra projects. You can search Points of Light’s Engage to find virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities, or find a Points of Light Global Network affiliate near you.

LISTEN AND LEARN

A big part of advocating for civil and human rights is listening and learning. When we hear from others about their perspectives and the life experiences that have shaped their identities, we can better honor who they are and where they come from. Plus, our own perspectives are expanded. You can also learn how to support and advocate for people of color through Points of Light’s Listen. Learn. Act to End Racism initiative, in partnership with Morehouse College.

VOTE

Dr. King knew how critical it was for every citizen in the U.S. to have their voice heard through voting, coining the phrase “Give Us the Ballot” in his 1957 speech. The United States midterm elections will take place on Tuesday, Nov, 8, 2022, but that doesn’t mean it’s too soon to get involved. Voting is a crucial part of driving change at the systemic level. Start by making sure you’re registered to vote, then educate yourself on the issues and the people on this year’s ballot. You may also dedicate time to protecting democracy by advocating for voting rights for all Americans. Then, don’t forget to mark your calendar to ensure you’re ready to vote in November.

PURCHASE POWER

Using your purchase power is one way to support communities – like BIPOC business owners – or causes you care about. By doing your homework, you can find out which brands that you might buy from regularly are supporting communities of color and advocating for human rights. This may be reflected in their donations, certain projects or campaigns they lead, how they lift up their BIPOC employees and more. Research before you buy, so you can ensure your hard-earned money is going toward the causes you care about.

WORK

You might find ways to champion human and civil rights through your work, even if your job isn’t directly related to these missions. For example, you could organize a group of coworkers who are interested in volunteering on MLK Days. Or you might do a project featuring the voices of those who have faced discrimination in the community and screen it after work or on a lunch break to help educate and start a conversation within your workplace. If you don’t receive MLK Day off, you can also advocate with your employer to make this a day of service for employees.

VOICE

Dr. King was a powerful voice in the Black community and used his influence to organize rallies and protests, petition for change and speak with public officials when he could. You can use your voice to advocate for change in your own spheres of influence. This can start around the dinner table, presenting a topic you’re passionate about and leaving space for respectful debate and sharing perspectives. You might find a specific issue you want to champion and create an online petition for it. Or maybe you join an organized rally to make your voice heard. There are plenty of ways to use your words to communicate what you care about and pave the way for change.

DONATE

If you want to use your resources to advocate for human and civil rights, you can absolutely donate to a cause or organization. By donating financially, you can let an organization to allocate funds where they’re most needed. But even donating goods like breakfast foods, baby products, old cell phones and new or gently used books can greatly impact an individual or group of people who may not have access to these items. Just check with the organization you’re donating to first, to ensure that you’re contributing items they need and can use.

PUBLIC SERVICE 

If you want to follow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s footsteps in dedicating your life to championing human and civil rights, you might consider making a vocation out of it. Through a public service position, you can create a ripple effect of change on your school board, in your local government or even internationally.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

If you’re interested in devoting your work to making an impact in the business or for-profit sector, you might consider social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurs find innovative solutions to the world’s toughest issues, like inequality and racism. These individuals identify a need that hasn’t yet been met by the existing traditional structures, which takes a lot of time, creativity and grit but can also be a supremely impactful career option.

Source: Points of Light  

 Kelly Strayhorn Theater celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by gathering performers and community partners whose missions center empowerment, education, and culture for all. Join KST as we reflect on the civil rights legacy of Rev. Dr. King and Pittsburgh activists past and present on Monday, January 16 from 12:00pm - 3:00pm at Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15206. Tickets are Pay What Moves You: $0 - $25. 

Hosted by Duane Binion, executive director of True T Pittsburgh, the two-part event features theatrical performances from Alumni Theater Company and K-Theatre Dance Complex (Rickia Davenport & Kantara Morphis), a dance showcase from Hill Dance Academy Theatre, and a musical performance from vocalist Jacquea May. These will take place from 1:00pm - 2:00pm in the theater. Before the curtain opens, KST has gathered community partners to present all-ages activities in the theater lobby from 12:00 pm - 3:00pm. KST’s own The Alloy School will be present alongside Assemble, a community space for arts and technology education, Bloomfield Garfield Corporation, a community-focused organization committed to Garfield and its surrounding neighborhoods, Union Project, a Historical East-End site and institution that uses the arts to bridge gaps between communities, and Latino Community Center, who ensure access to resources for Latino families in Pittsburgh. 

The Audacity to Believe takes its name from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, given in Oslo, Norway on December 10, 1964. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had been passed in July of that year, to be closely followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. King declares, "I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.” The community partners and performers included in The Audacity to Believe all embody King’s bold conviction. 

KST recognizes that MLK Day is not only a day for celebrating past triumphs, but for reflecting on the enduring need for activism that, in the face of violence and hatred, centers love. In a cultural moment that has seen Congress gut the Voting Rights Act, the Attorney General of Texas seek to round up a list of trans citizens, the Governor of Florida ban parents from providing gender-affirming care to their children, and 1,090 people killed by police in the past twelve months — love is an act of resistance. KST has faith in love and in celebrating love, history, struggles, triumphs and togetherness in community. The Audacity to Believe exemplifies this.  

King continued… “This faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds and our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, we will know that we are living in the creative turmoil of a genuine civilization struggling to be born.”

For full season details, KST COVID policy updates, and tickets, go to kelly-strayhorn.org.  

Pittsburgh Regional Transit presents  the Annual Spirit of King Award Ceremony on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 10 A.M., via livestream.  We are excited to celebrate the outstanding achievements of both the late John H. Adams and Bill Nunn, Jr.  as part of this celebration. 

 To access program, click here:  https://www.rideprt.org/king2023 

The Spirit of King Award is a posthumous honor and recognition of a community member or members who pursued human rights and equality in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 Participate in a day of free demonstrations and activities at Pittsburgh Glass Center in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Enjoy glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations by local glass artists, explore the gallery, and contribute to a collaborative community mural. Bring a book (or two) to donate to our Free Community Little Library in honor of the day! 

01/16/2023 | 11:00am - 01/16/2023 | 4:00pmPGC412-365-2145 | glassinfo@pittsburghglasscenter.org 

 Nikki Giovanni, one of America’s most celebrated living poets, will speak at Alumni Hall on Jan. 17 during the University of Pittsburgh’s annual commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Week.

The event is presented by Pitt’s Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the Division of Student Affairs and the Year of Emotional Well-Being.

Giovanni’s discussion, “From Surviving to Thriving: Culturally Relevant Emotional Wellness,” will be moderated by Clyde Wilson Pickett, Pitt’s vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer.

Doors at the Connolly Ballroom open at 6:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Request tickets in advance and bring your confirmation email with you to the door.

For more information, email OEDI at diversity@pitt.edu.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni has become one of America’s most widely read poets and has published more than 30 books of verse and prose for adults and children.

She first came to prominence in the 1960s during the height of the American civil rights movement, advocating not just on behalf of racial but also gender equality. Through appearances on national television and her extensive lecture tours, she quickly became a leading figure among emerging Black artists.

Beginning in the early 1970s, Giovanni began reciting her poetry against a backdrop of music for a series of seven spoken-word albums, including “The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004.

A recipient of the Langston Hughes Medal from the City College of New York and seven NAACP Image Awards, Giovanni also won the first-ever Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award from the Southern Poverty Law Center and Troy University at Montgomery, Alabama, in 2002.

From 1987 to 2022, Giovanni taught poetry at Virginia Tech, where she was named a University Distinguished Professor in 1999. Giovanni also has taught at the Ohio State University, Rutgers University and Queens College of the City University of New York.