Today would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 92nd birthday and on Monday we will be closed to celebrate the holiday in his honor.

Normally, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is considered a “Day on” not a “Day off,” where individuals, families and organizations do acts of service in their communities to honor Dr. King’s legacy. Plans are different because of the pandemic, but below you will see a variety of things you can do alone or with those in your household to honor Dr. King and help all of us get closer to his Dream.

Family Activities & Virtual Events

• Table Talks: Family Conversations About Current Events
• MLK 40 Days of Peace, Selfless Service and Embracing the Power of Love (starts today!)

• Support Local Black and Minority Owned Businesses
  • Visit Phoenix Guide
  • Local First Directory
• Virtual MLK March on West, Tuesday, January 19, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Register Here
• Regional Unity ArtWalk: A Visual Journey of Diversity, Culture and Equity: Map Link

Educational Resources

• Audio Recordings
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., at the Riverside Church (1961-1967)
  • Freedom’s Ring: I have a dream speech
• Books & Articles
  • Learn About Microaggressions and the impact they can have
    • NPR: Microaggressions Are A Big Deal: How To Talk Them Out And When To Walk Away
    • Harvard Business Journal: When and How to Respond to Microaggressions
  • Talking to kids
    • Healthy Children: Talking to Children About Racial Bias
  • Phoenix Public Library ebooks via Hooplea – Register for library card here
    • The Racial Contract by Charles W. Mills
    • White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
    • So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
    • Citizen: an American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

Conversations & Films to Watch

• Points of Light: Listen. Learn. Act to End Racism Webinar Series
  • Moving Forward: Taking Action on Race and Equity
  • Racial Healing: Understanding Racial Identity, Systemic Racism, and how to become a Racial Ally
• PBS The Talk: Race in America
• Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism

Want more ideas?

• Check out these ideas of virtual events and films from the New York Times: Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 9 Ways to Honor His Legacy

For more information, please email info@mphc-az.org