Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day virtually and throughout Washington, DC

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do… you have to keep moving forward.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The National Museum of African American History & Culture has a great resource complete with activities for children and families to learn more about MLK Jr and what he stood for. It also includes talking points to start a conversation with kids about racism and activism.

Children’s books about MLK Jr and marches:
Let the Children March
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sometimes People March
I am Martin Luther King, Jr

11:00am: Virtual MLK Dare to Dream Day
Join in a free celebration honoring one of history’s greatest visionaries. Now accepting submissions for the Open Mic and Poetry Slam. Details below.

11:30am: DC Public Library virtual story time
Paula Young Shelton will read her new book, Child of the Civil Rights Movement. Shelton is the daughter of Andrew Young and she shares her experiences as the daughter of an activist who surrounded by a community of leaders. After the reading, she will be interviewed by members of DC Library’s Teen Council about community engagement. This event is the kick-off to our new civic engagement program “Our City, Our Stories”. 

12:00pm: 40th Annual MLK Jr Virtual Parade
Be sure to follow along on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @mlkholidaydc115 and on the Washington Informer website. Participants are committed to continuing this strong tradition started more than 35 years ago by radio talk show host and community activist Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene, Washington Informer publisher and philanthropist Dr. Calvin W. Rolark and former Ward 8 Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark when they organized the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade (on one of the nation’s first streets named in honor of the civil rights leader, following his death in 1968). The parade began in 1979, six years before Kings’s birthday became a federal holiday. We continue the tradition and celebration that the Rolarks and Petey Greene started, as we honor Dr. King and keep his message alive. Register here.

12:00pm: 49th Annual MLK Jr Day Virtual Celebration
The virtual program will feature performances, remarks by Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton, awards presentations, a keynote speech and a panel discussion with a local historian, community advocates, allies and activists, and a Human Rights commissioner addressing topics of social justice and racial equity and equality.

We encourage you to volunteer with your family in whatever capacity fits your needs.

The National Day of Service for the Inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris will celebrate and honor the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 18, 2021. The National Day of Service is an opportunity for all Americans to unite and serve at a time when the global pandemic calls on all of us to work together and support our communities. No matter where you are, you have an opportunity to give back and the agency to do so. Most volunteer activities only require an hour or two of your time, and all events will be virtual or socially distanced, in accordance with CDC protocol.

WTOP has a list of what’s closed for MLK Jr Day as well as Inauguration.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.