Let’s make Martin Luther King Jr. Day more than a day off school. Let’s go beyond his inspiring one-liners and discover more about his life and legacy and how we can still be a part of the activism he began.
Below are some ideas for honoring Dr. King’s memory with your family.
Participate in the MLK Jr. Act of Service Day
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived his life serving others. One way we honor his memory is by serving our community. To learn more about this day of service, click here.
Below are a few ways to serve our community with your family.
Create Care Bags for Unhoused Persons
Where & Why My Daughter and I Volunteer Together
Ways to Give Back as a Family
Support a Local Black-Owned Business
Black Americans make up more than 13% of the U.S. population but only own 7% of the businesses due to many factors. Most experts agree the cause is a combination of racism, discrimination, predatory lending, and a lack of economic and business resources in African American communities. So let’s support black-owned businesses when we can! Here’s a list of black-owned businesses in the Albuquerque area.
Educate Yourself First
Martin Luther King Jr. was an eloquent speaker, to be sure! You’ll find quotes from him all over your social media pages today. But if the only quotes we hear from him only make us feel good but don’t challenge us, we probably don’t understand who he really was. Today would be a good day to read (or listen to) some of Dr. King’s words in context. Find other anti-racism resources here.
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” written
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” audio
Teach Your Children About Martin Luther King, Jr. & the Civil Rights Movement
There are so many resources available. But I think the most important thing for kids to realize is that while the Civil Rights Movement did accomplish much, the work is not finished. There is still much to do to ensure equality and justice for all in our country.
Here’s a booklist with children’s books about Dr. King.
Here are some wonderful ideas about inviting racial justice into our homes.
Check out this National Geographic Kids article & video: Hero for All: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Attend a Local Event
