The theme for the 2022 King Holiday Observance is “It Starts with Me: Shifting Priorities to Create the Beloved Community.” In keeping with the theme, PK-12 lesson plans for the 2022 Teach-In will reinforce the knowledge, skills and dispositions students need to not only to be positive contributors to creation of the “Beloved Community” but also to succeed in their respective life paths. Full lesson plans with objectives, activities and an assessment will be available upon registration.
MLK Day 2022
MLK Day takes place on January 17th, 2022. The King Center (est. 1968) has made their theme “It Starts With Me”: Shifting Priorities to Create the Beloved Community. MLK Day is all about service, so make sure to find a way to serve your community this year, and many years to come. This day is an observed holiday, but it’s a day ON, not a day OFF.
Award Winners this Year
This year, the King Center is honoring seven people/organizations:
- Cami Anderson: Legacy in Service in Education Award
- Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II: Civic Leadership Award
- Malala Yousafzai: Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation Award
- Color of Change: Social Justice Award
- Simone Biles: Yolanda D. King Higher Ground Award
- Daniel Lubetzky: Salute to Greatness Humanitarian Award
- Dr. Joy Buolamwini: Technological Innovation Award
- Salesforce: Salute to Greatness Corporate Social Impact Award
Congratulations to all the award winners, and thank you for your wonderful service!
MLK Day Events
The King Center Virtual Events
- MONDAY & TUESDAY, JANUARY 10 & 11
Nonviolence365® Virtual Series - THURSDAY & FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 & 14
Beloved Community Global Summit - FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
Beloved Community Global Youth Summit
Nonviolence365® Teach-in-K-12
- SATURDAY, JANUARY 15
Youth Virtual Book Reading
Beloved Community Awards
(Formerly the Salute to Greatness Awards) - MONDAY, JANUARY 17
Beloved Community Commemorative Service
Beloved Community Service Project
Resources:
Lesson Plans for Students: On January 14, 2022, in celebration of the King Holiday, MLK Day 2022, The King Center is calling on educational institutions and organizations around the globe to join us for a worldwide Teach-In. The purpose of the Beloved Community Teach-In is to educate people of all ages about Dr. and Mrs. King’s legacy and how to champion completion of their unfinished work.
Volunteer Opportunities
MLK Day Volunteering | Reward Volunteers: The following ideas are great for both individuals and groups to participate in. So, whether you’re going to celebrate MLK Day by volunteering with your kids, with a group of friends or on your own, we guarantee you’ll go back to work (and, for kids, back to school) the next day feeling refreshed and rewarded.
Find a volunteer opportunity | AmeriCorps: Find volunteer opportunities based on your Zip Code!
19 Resources and Ideas to Celebrate MLK Day of Service Virtually | Teach For America
Last year, participated in Smithsonian Digital Volunteers (si.edu) by transcribing digital documents written by past enslaved persons.
Find Community Service and Volunteer Opportunities (aarp.org)
Letters Against Isolation | Write letters to Self-isolating seniors
These are just a few of many amazing causes you can support on MLK Day, and beyond! What will you do on MLK Day?
Before you go, check out my MLK Day post from 2021.
