Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Day in the Triangle: Events and volunteering
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated each year on the third Monday in January, an official day of service.
We explore King’s connections to North Carolina here, and have compiled a list of events and service opportunities happening in and around the Triangle leading up to and on his day of remembrance, which is Monday, Jan. 17.
Dr. Martin Luther King’s ties to North Carolina
King’s impact and ties to North Carolina run deep.
The 1960s’ Civil Rights Movement protests included the sit-ins, which started in Greensboro in February 1960, per The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. Four Black students from the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (then known as A&T College) sat at a Woolworth lunch counter, which was reserved for white customers.
They refused to leave when they were denied service, and they stayed until the store closed, as chronicled in a timeline by the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University Bluford Library.
“The key significance of the student movement lies in the fact that from its inception, everywhere, it has combined direct action with non-violence,” King wrote of the student movement that began in Greensboro, in papers preserved by the King Institute. “This quality has given it the extraordinary power and discipline which every thinking person observes.”
Within a few weeks, demonstrations spread to at least 250 major cities and towns, and over 400 demonstrations took place by the end of the year. This movement led to Woolworth’s desegregation by the end of July of that year, according to the Bluford Library.
Service opportunities on or near MLK Day
Dreamfest Food Drive & MLK Day of Service
Updated Jan. 16: This Day of Service has been canceled due to inclement weather.
“Dreamfest volunteers can join us in addressing food security in our community in collaboration with our community partners at Good Hope Farm and Dorcas Ministries Food Pantry. This year, there are two ways to participate: become a Donation Station Volunteer in our contactless Dreamfest Food Drive, or join us at Good Hope Farm,” the town of Cary’s website says. Volunteers are asked to bring at least one canned/nonperishable food item for donation. Date: Jan. 17 (Volunteer shifts are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) Info: mycary.org/s/program?programCode=015079
MLK Day of Service Litter Cleanup
Updated Jan. 17: This cleanup has been rescheduled for Jan. 22.
Join Keep Durham Beautiful and their partners at NC Wildlife Federation, Bull City Trailblazers and Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association to protect the health of Durham’s watersheds by removing litter from streets, creeks and park grounds. Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes (or waterproof boots), and bring your own water bottle. Trash bags, litter grabbers, gloves, and high-visibility safety vests will be provided. There are five cleanup locations from which to choose. Date: Jan. 22 (1-3 p.m.) Registration: Volunteer for a specific location on the website Info: keepdurhambeautiful.org
Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
The Triangle MLK Jr. Committee presents the 42nd Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, which will be virtual. This event will feature keynote speaker Bishop Vashti McKenzie and Grammy-nominated jazz singer Nnenna Freelon. Date: Jan. 17 (8 a.m.) Tickets: Free, watch online at WRAL Info: facebook.com/trianglemartinlutherkingjrcommittee.
Book Harvest’s Dream Big MLK Day Book Drive & Community Celebration
Participants are asked to collect books and donate them at this event, which will be at Durham Central Park. You can choose to volunteer or attend as a participant. Children’s books will be available to take home. This event will be outdoors, and there’s a drive-thru option. Date: Jan. 17 (1-4 p.m.) Tickets: None required Info: bookharvest.org/dreambig
Memorial March at the State Capitol Building
Updated Jan. 16: The march held by the Triangle Martin Luther King Jr. Committee has been canceled due to inclement weather. Info: trianglemlk.com/programs-events
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
This youth-planned event is a day of service for the town of Carrboro. Date: Jan. 15 (1-3 p.m.) Info: facebook.com/CarrboroTownGov
MLK Day of Service in NC
Here are volunteer opportunities available on North Carolina’s state website for the MLK Day of Service:
- World Relief (Durham): World Relief is looking for volunteers to serve as friendship partners, youth tutors, mentors, helping refugees resettle and find community in their new cities, helping immigrants in the U.S. apply for citizenship, teaching ESL classes and more. More info here: worldrelief.org/durham/get-involved/volunteer
- Rise Against Hunger (All counties): Volunteer with Rise Against Hunger meal packaging events by hosting an event at your workplace, church or other community group. More info here: riseagainsthunger.org/local-volunteer-opportunities
- Lumber River United Way (Robeson): This group needs five individuals to assist with cleaning its storage unit. The project includes organizing, lifting, and discarding old property. The total project time should only consist of 2 hours. The volunteers should wear comfortable clothing with closed-toe shoes. Lumber River United Way’s storage unit is located at 1990 N Roberts Ave, Lumberton, NC 28358. More info here: lumberriveruw.org
- CORRAL Riding Academy (Wake): Volunteers needed to assist with farm and pasture chores and clean up. More info here: corralriding.org
- Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: Sorting out produce and retail donations. More info here: foodbankcenc.org/get-involved/volunteer
- Durham Rescue Mission (Durham): This group has opportunities at its Thrift Stores. Chores will include whatever is needed that particular day — hanging clothes, sorting clothes, arranging furniture, etc. More info here: durhamrescuemission.org
Source: nc.gov/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities#mlk-day-of-service
Ceremonies, events to honor MLK and civil rights activists
Reflecting the Times: Saving the Nina Simone Childhood Home
Learn about singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone’s property in North Carolina, efforts to save it and challenges ahead for rehabilitation. This event will include Tiffany Tolbert with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Ted Alexander with Preservation North Carolina. Following the presentation will be a Q&A with the speakers. Date: Jan. 12 (7 p.m.) Tickets: Free, join via Webex Info: townofcary.org
No Fear and Blues Long Gone: Nina Simone
Featuring Yolanda Rabun, this performance shows an intimate portrayal of civil rights activist and singer Nina Simone. “The performance gives its audiences insight into Simone’s wide repertoire of music, her life perspective, sense of humor, and sense of duty to people of color,” per the town of Cary’s website. Date: Jan. 14 (7:30 p.m.) Tickets: Visit the website to purchase tickets online Info: townofcary.org
African American Heroes and Sheroes
This show by Linda Gorham brings to life the stories of Black heroes whose actions made a positive impact on the United States: Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, The Little Rock Nine, Young Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Date: Jan. 15 (11 a.m.) Tickets: Visit the website to purchase tickets online Info: townofcary.org
Special exhibits at Dix Park
All Faiths Chapel at Raleigh’s Dix Park opens two exhibits on Saturday:
- We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects & Builders in NC
- From Plantation to Park: The Story of Dix Hill
Special guest speakers at the opening ceremony include Mayor MaryAnn Baldwin and Councilwoman Stormie Forte, plus music by Pierce Freelon, Grammy-nominated musician and son of late architect Phil Freelon. Date: The opening ceremony is Jan 15 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and the exhibit runs through Feb. 27 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m.) Masks are required. Info: dixpark.org/calendar.
King Day: A Celebration of MLK at Chavis Park
Updated Jan. 17: This event will no longer have a scavenger hunt nor outdoor components. All event activities will take place indoors.
This event will highlight King’s work and the history of the federal holiday. Join for a civil rights scavenger hunt, children’s arts and crafts and more. Date: Jan. 17 (12-3 p.m.) Info: raleighnc.gov
Wreath Laying Ceremony
This ceremony will be virtual. Local leaders and clergy will lay a wreath beside a statue of King at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens in Raleigh to honor his life and service. Date: Jan. 14 (9 a.m.) Info: trianglemlk.com/programs-events
Evening Musical Celebration
This event will be presented by The Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee and hosted by John Clark, Melissa Wade and Jerry Smith. The event will be virtual. Watch on the organization’s Facebook or YouTube page. Date: Jan. 17 (5:30 p.m.) Tickets: None required, this event will be available online Info: trianglemlk.com/programs-events/
North Carolina Chamber Music Institute concert
This free concert will feature NCCMI faculty, United Strings of Color and WCPE String Quartet. This program will honor music by Black composers in remembrance of King. Date: Jan. 17 (7:30 p.m.) Tickets: Free Info: cvnc.org
National Day of Racial Healing
The Human Relations Commission of City of Raleigh Municipal Government will observe the sixth annual National Day of Racial Healing with Raleigh’s first National Day of Racial Healing event. This will be a time and space for people to acknowledge and see the humanity in others, to facilitate trust, and to build authentic relationships that begin to bridge divides. This is a free webinar hosted by WRAL’s Mikaya Thurmond featuring community leaders Cyndy Yu Robinson, Elke Weil-Millan, Sondra Collins, Lu McCraw and Dr. Stephanie Irby Coard. Register: https://bit.ly/3qh73Yw
MLK Lecture & Awards Ceremony at UNC
The MLK Lecture and Awards Ceremony will feature LaTosha Brown – an award-winning Black voting rights expert, cultural activist and more – as the keynote speaker. This live event will be at the Carolina Union Great Hall. Date: Jan. 19 (6:30 p.m.) Tickets: Free but required Info: diversity.unc.edu
21st annual African American Cultural Celebration
The title and theme for this year’s event is “Black People, Green Planet: Environmental Justice.” The North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission will put on the 21st annual African American Cultural Celebration online. The presentations and performances are free. Date: Jan. 29 (10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Tickets: Free, not required Info: ncmuseumofhistory.org/aacc-2022
NC State Employees’ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Program
Watch the live broadcast to learn who will be honored with the 2022 John R. Larkins Award, which presented to a state employee who “demonstrates extraordinary commitment to equality in the workplace and dedication to improving local communities through volunteerism and community service,” per the Department of Administration’s press release. Date: Jan. 14 (12 p.m.) Tickets: Not required, online event Info: youtube.com/watch?v=pScFaPIZDbU
MLK film showcase
The Cary Theatre, located at 122 E. Chatham St. in Cary, is honoring King through a film showcase:
‘MLK/FBI’
This documentary explores the extent of the FBI’s harassment and surveillance of King, government history of targeting Black activists and more. The film is rated PG, per The Cary Theatre. Dates: Jan. 13 (2 p.m.) and Jan. 15 (7:30 p.m.) Tickets: Visit the website to purchase tickets online Info: thecarytheater.com
‘Selma’
Based on a true story, this biopic drama follows King leading a dangerous campaign to fight for equal voting rights. The march from Selma to Montgomery ended in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most notable victories for the civil rights movement. Dates: Jan. 13 (7 p.m.) and Jan. 15 (5 p.m.) Tickets: Visit the website to purchase tickets online Info: thecarytheater.com
‘I Am Not Your Negro’
This film looks into Black history, including recent #BlackLivesMatter movements. Following the film, there will be a 20 to 30-minute Q&A with NC State University professor Dr. Marc Dudley (author of “Understanding James Baldwin”) and others. Dates: Jan. 16 (2 p.m.) Tickets: Free, but tickets required Info: thecarytheater.com
This story was originally published January 12, 2022 at 8:35 AM.
