Colleges and universities across the nation are observing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday with extensive service projects and discussions on racial equity, as the federal holiday marks its 31st year as a National Day of Service.
The celebrations come amid ongoing national debates over diversity programs in higher education and as the United States marks its semiquincentennial year.
Temple University in Philadelphia is serving as the regional volunteer hub for the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service for the first time in more than 15 years. The event, founded in Philadelphia in 1996, is the oldest and largest of its kind in the nation, with more than 2.6 million volunteers participating over three decades.
This year's Greater Philadelphia theme centers on advancing civil rights through equity and education. Temple will host a jobs fair, health and wellness fair, civic engagement workshops, a kids carnival, and a noon rally for peace and justice. Volunteers will also assemble book arks to provide free books to underserved communities and create hygiene kits for people experiencing homelessness.
"Dr. King's message for justice and civil rights is as important today as it was in 1963, and at Temple, we will always be deeply committed to living out the lessons of that message," said Temple President John Fry.
The Philadelphia Orchestra will conclude the day with its annual MLK Day tribute concert at 3 p.m. at the Kimmel Center's Marian Anderson Hall, with free tickets available online. The Kimmel Center will simultaneously host a food drive in partnership with Philabundance.
Eastern Michigan University is hosting a week-long celebration that includes a women's basketball game against the University of Toledo at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. On Wednesday, Courtney Smith, founder and executive chief officer of the Detroit Phoenix Center, will speak at the university's annual Justice Speaker Series. EMU Student Government is also hosting a community networking event on Friday with Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown.
