Looking for ways to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 2020?

Here are ten observances and opportunities to serve in Jackson, MS.

MLK: Jackson Hinds Library System – ongoing
Remembering MLK (Willie Morris Branch Library)  – Tuesday, Jan. 14, 4 to 6 p.m.
A look at pivotal moments in the life of the civil rights leader in films, speeches, books and poetry.

MLK Movie Memorial (Bolden Moore Library) – Thursday, Jan. 16, 3 p.m. 
The library will screen a film dedicated to the life of MLK and his work in the struggle for civil rights.

MLK Essay Contest – through Feb. 21 | MLK Coloring Contest – through Jan. 21

MLK Mentor Weekend – Kings Center, 1980 Highway 80 West, Jackson – Friday, Jan. 17 – Monday, Jan. 20
Over the MLK weekend of January 17-20, the event will consist of an opening session and registration, a day of mentoring, taking a young person to worship and a day of service.

Jackson State University: MLK Convocation, For My People Awards reception – Rose McCoy Auditorium – Friday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.
Part of a several university events paying tribute to the late Phillip Gibbs and James Green, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, former Mississippi assistant secretary of state and general counsel, will serve as the keynote speaker. For My People Awards at the JSU Margaret Walker Center – Friday, 11:30 a.m

Free admission to Mississippi Civil Rights, History museums – Saturday, Jan. 18 and Monday, Jan. 20
Free admission to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History, presented by Fed. Ex Corp. MLK Night of Culture: “I Question America” is Monday, 6-8 p.m., an evening of performances honoring the women who led the freedom struggle in Mississippi.

MLK Annual Parade – Saturday, January 18, 10 a.m.
Starting at Freedom Corner (intersection of MLK Drive and Medgar Evers Boulevard), the parade features local bands and schools. Due to concerns of potential flooding, the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Parade that was scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2020, has been postponed to a later date.

“From the Ground Up: Inequity, Bias, Privilege, Structure, Death” – Tougaloo College – Monday, Jan. 20, 8 a.m.
Tougaloo College and Millsaps College host the annual celebration of life of Dr. King beginning with prayer breakfast at Tougaloo’s Kroger Gymnasium at 8 a.m. Pamela Junior, Director of Two Mississippi Museums, will serve as guest speaker and student leaders from both colleges will participate in the program. Register online: tougaloo.edu. Free, open to the public.

“Unlocking the Possibilities of Service” – Monday, Jan. 20
Facilitated by the Junior League of Jackson, ‘Unlocking’ is a series of half-day service projects in the Jackson area, specifically designed to coincide with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service events nationwide. The Junior League invites members, partners and supporters to connect with each other and our shared community through service. For a full list of opportunities, click here.

In partnership with Canopy Children’s Solutions, We Will Go Ministries, Jackson Public Schools, the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, and Stewpot Community Services, this Day of Service is designed to harness the strength the Junior League has in connecting volunteer resources to specific needs. 

Major League Baseball ‘DREAM’ Weekend in Mississippi – Jackson State University – Monday, Jan. 20, 9:30 am – Noon
Aspiring players ages 6 to 18 will develop skills in a five-station clinic with meet-and-greet opportunities with professional baseball players;, a Q&A and group photo. The camp is founded by veteran MLB outfielder and philanthropist Curtis Granderson and supported by over a dozen MLB players.

MLK National Day of Service Book Drive – Beth Israel Congregation – Monday, Jan. 20, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join the Central Mississippi Hub and participate in a book drive that will benefit the Institute of Southern Jewish Life’s 2020 Literacy Achievement Bonanza. Donations of new or gently used books for elementary students are accepted.

National Day of Racial Healing – Two Mississippi Museums – Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1 p.m., 6 p.m.
Hosted by the William Winter Institute, afternoon programs focus on two discussions: (1) Why do we need racial healing, (2) Role of education in racial healing. The evening session features an introduction and screening of the HBO original documentary “True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality,” followed by film discussion. Programming is part of  the  W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation effort. Register here.

Information compiled from multiples sources. Special thanks to Wilton Jackson at Clarion Ledger for the majority of this report.