Learn About and Celebrate the Legacy Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. left the world a legacy of service, and every year people celebrate his legacy by volunteering in their community and the communities of others. Sadly, the city-wide volunteer cleanups aren’t happening this year due to the pandemic, but there are still plenty of ways to learn about and celebrate the life and legacy of MLK.
We made a list of GoPhillyGo destinations hosting virtual events that highlight the work Dr. King did to promote racial equality and social justice. There is even a way for you to participate in a socially distant cleanup at a location of your choice.
Dr. King was assassinated over 50 years ago but his legacy lives on through community service and our desire to make the world better for everyone. Make sure you visit the GoPhillyGo events page or download the GoPhillyGo Android app to find more virtual MLK Day programs happening this weekend.
African American Museum in Philadelphia
Saturday 10am - Monday 5pm
Join the African American Museum in Philadelphia for a full weekend of digital programs for all ages celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King. Listen to readings by poets, take virtual tours, and volunteer in a Transcribe-A-Thon to help turn handwritten historical documents into digitally searchable ones, in this case Freedmen’s Bureau records from the 19th century.
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
Monday 10am - 10:30am
This year the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education’s MLK Day of Service is going virtual. Join them to discuss the legacy of Dr. King and the importance of service, and then get connected with individual service projects for children and adults.
Monday 11am - 2pm
Join Eastern State Penitentiary for virtual readings from Dr. King’s 1963 “Letters from Birmingham Jail” by community members, teachers, students, and activists. Stay all day or just drop in for one section, and join others in reflection of Dr. King’s words and their relevance for today.
Academy of Natural Sciences & John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Now - Tuesday
The Academy of Natural Sciences is hosting a series of virtual events about Environmental Justice to commemorate the work of Dr. King. On Friday 1/15, join them for a program at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge to learn about the importance of the Refuge to wildlife and the Eastwick community. Check out the GoPhillyGo events page for more events in this series including a conversation for kids about environmental justice.
Our friends at Bristol Marsh want you to create your own "quaran-team" and conduct an independent cleanup any day between January 18th and January 31st. You may select a location close to your home or office, or pick one of their suggested properties and receive a map with property details. Each registered “quaran-team” will receive a gift card upon submission of their cleanup results!
