Ways to Honor MLK Day Around The Valley

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has been a federal holiday and recognized as a National Day of Service since it was signed into law by President Reagan in 1983. MLK Day has been observed in the State of Arizona as MLK/Civil Rights Day since it was passed by popular affirmation in November 1992, making Arizona the last state to recognize MLK Day. Since the passage of the vote, several celebrations have been held around the valley honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy. Looking for ways to honor MLK Day as a family? Check this list of events around the Valley:

Scottsdale

Community Celebrating Diversity – 28th Annual MLK Celebration Dinner

Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 – 5:30pm

Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort 5001 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Phoenix

Annual MLK Commemorative Walk from Pilgrim Rest Church to Margaret T. Hance Park

Monday, January 17th, 2022 – 9:00am

The walk starts at Pilgrim Rest Church (1401 E. Jefferson) and ends at Margaret T. Hance Park with a festival in the park from 10am-4pm

Surprise

MLK Musical Celebration & Reflections

Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 – 6-8pm

Willow Canyon High School Auditorium • 17901 W. Lundberg St.

MLK Day of Celebration & Service

Saturday, January 15th, 2022

8:30am Music & Breakfast • 9am Program with a service project to follow

Surprise City Hall Courtyard • 16000 N. Civic Center Plz.

Mesa

Mesa-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Festival

Monday, January 17th, 2022 – 11am

Starts at Center Street in Downtown Mesa at Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The Festival itself is located on Macdonald Street, just north of Main Street in Downtown Mesa from 12-4pm

Chandler

27th Annual Chandler Multicultural Festival

Saturday, January 15th, 2022  11am – 6pm

Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave Chandler, AZ 85224

Virtual

Virtual Arizona MLK Youth Celebration

January 15th, 2022

Virtual program filled with videos, poetry, music, performances, book showcase, social justice art showcase followed by a workshop.

To RSVP Click Here- https://arizonamlk.wixsite.com/azmlkorg/event-details/arizona-mlk-youth-celebration/form

In Your Own Home

If you can’t make it to a public event, there are several ways to honor MLK Day:

  • Volunteer as a family in your own community
  • Participate in Compassion Games “40 Days of Peace Challenge.” More information here https://www.compassiongames.org/mlk-40-days/
  • Watch the “I Have A Dream” Speech from the March on Washington
  • Create a family collage about how you are honoring MLK’s dream
  • Read the story of MLK as a family. Some family-friendly book suggestions are:
  1.  “I am Brave: A Little Book about Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Brad Meltzer
  2.  “I am Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Brad Meltzer
  3.  “Let the Children March” Hardcover by Monica Clark-Robinson
  4.  “A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation” by Barry Wittenstein
  5. “The March on Washington (American Girl: Real Stories From My Time)” by Bonnie Bader