MLK Day of Service Activities

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13

• Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Event: The Intersection of Social Justice and Health Care. Virtual. Thursday, January 13. 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. Presented by the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion & UAB Health System Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. During the 10:30-11:30 a.m. hour, a round table panel of health professionals will explore the intersection of social justice and health care at UAB. The afternoon session will begin at 12 p.m. with a performance by the Miles College Choir and lead to our keynote speaker, Lenice C. Emanuel, MLA, Executive Director of the Alabama Institute for Social Justice. https://calendar.uab.edu/event/martin_luther_king_jr_day_of_celebration#.YdSCib3MKL8 

• Sixth Annual MLK Day 5K Drum Run. This fun run features drumlines from Birmingham area schools and organizations that will line up along the race course to keep the beat as the runners and walkers make their way. Each drumline will receive a donation to their band booster association through our nonprofit, The Leftover Energy Foundation Inc. Saturday, January 15 at 7 a.m. The 5K begins at 8 a.m.; the 1 mile fun run/walk starts at 9 a.m. The Fourth Avenue Historic District / History Park, 1700 4th Ave North. Registration is $35 in advance; $40 at the event. For more details, go to mlkday5kbham.com. https://www.mlkday5kbham.com/

• Unity Breakfast. The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast will be held on Monday, January 17 at the BJCC North Exhibition Hall located at 2100 Richard Arrington Junior Boulevard. Doors will open at 6:30 a.m.; event begins at 7 a.m. with the MLK Unity Breakfast Choir. GRAMMY award-wining rapper, actor and activist Killer Mike is the guest speaker. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at 610 19th Street North, on the second floor. This event supports the MLK Scholarship Essay program for Birmingham area high school students.

• King Day Festivities. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th Street North. Free gallery tours, live performances and virtual programs. Monday, January 17, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. bcri.org

• 5 Points West Community Clean Up. 10AM-1PM at the Parking lot behind The Crossplex (registration starts at 9AM) or online at https://5pwmlk.eventbrite.com/

• MLK Day of Service. United Way Hands On. Monday, January 17. Various service projects around Birmingham. Sign up here: https://uwca.givepulse.com/group/242295-MLK-Day-of-Service

• MLK’s Beloved Community. Sponsored by the UAB Leadership and Service Council, Live HealthSmart Alabama, Protective Life, and the Woodlawn Foundation, MLK’s Beloved Community honors the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This event provides an opportunity for UAB students to join forces with Birmingham citizens to empower and strengthen our community through service, moving us closer to Dr. King’s global vision of a “Beloved Community.” Monday, January 17. 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. https://givepul.se/0ryvnd 

• 4th Annual MLK Day Habitat Restoration at W. E. Putnam Middle School. W.E. Putnam Middle, (1757 Montclair Road). Monday, January 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Alabama Audubon for a morning of outdoor work and service at the Audubon-Datnow Forest Preserve at Birmingham’s W.E. Putnam Middle School. https://alaudubon.org/event/2022-01-17/ 

• Give More Love Service Day Workshop. Birmingham poet and author Seneca Wilson will host a free virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Day empowerment workshop, which will help high school and college students understand the importance of being a leader and giving back to their communities. It will be held on Monday, January 17 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. It is open to the first 100 students who register at www.senecawilson.com/gml. (*The times listed in this notice are CST. The times listed on the website are EST.)

• MLK Food drive with half admission. Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road. On Monday, January 17, the Birmingham Zoo invites the community to give back to those in need in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. By donating any non-perishable or canned food item in support of the Zoo’s Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Food Drive, visitors will receive half-price admission and can enjoy the Zoo for only $8 (plus tax) for adults, $7 (plus tax) for senior citizens 65 years and older and military, and $5.50 (plus tax) for children ages two to twelve-years-old. Children under two-years-old are free. Guests must bring one item per person to receive the discount. Birminghamzoo.com.