Each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January — Jan. 16 this year. The theme for this year is “Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems,” according to The King Center — a nonprofit founded by MLK’s wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy.
If you have time to dedicate to our community, here are three local volunteer opportunities:
- Martha O’Bryan Center | By filling out a form, interested volunteers will express the time in which they wish to commit, as well as what program and volunteering type they wish to help. Some interest areas include early learning, youth development, food bank, and work readiness.
- Nashville Adult Literacy Council | Volunteers are trained and matched with English language learners and literacy learners for virtual one-on-one tutoring. All matches are based on availability and other preferences.
- United Way’s Raise Your Hand | Tutors work in classrooms after school with teachers to assist students in first through fourth grades needing extra attention in reading and math. The program serves Williamson County Schools, Franklin Special School District, and Robertson County Schools.
For the 35th annual MLK Day Nashville, you can expect a youth rally, a march along Jefferson Street, and a convocation ceremony. The march will kick off at 9 a.m. at the Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, followed by the convocation at TSU’s Gentry Center.
Other events commemorating the life, work, and legacy of Dr. King include Let Freedom Sing, a free community concert performed by the Nashville Symphony, and special presentations at the National Museum of African American Music + Vanderbilt University.
Looking for other ways to get involved? Check out more local volunteer opportunities.