Celebrating 30 Years of MLK Day of Service and the Spirit of Revolution
Lexingtonians came together on this milestone 30th MLK Day of Service, with hundreds of residents braving post-storm chills to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy. The day featured a moving opening ceremony, an inspiring musical sing along performance lead by the SNAP (Special Needs Arts Programs) and many meaningful service activities, including:
• Crafting cards for seniors to bring warmth and connection.
• Donation drives supporting local organizations.
• Volunteering to assist seniors, exemplifying community care
This year’s MLK Community Conversation on Race was led by Loretta J. Ross, a 2024 National Women’s Hall of Fame inductee and a MacArthur Fellow renowned for her groundbreaking philosophy of #CallingIn. Ross advocated for addressing disagreements with compassion and accountability, emphasizing collaboration over division to achieve shared goals. She emphasized that a human rights movement cannot be built through the divisive impacts of cancel culture. She shared compelling lessons of the enduring power of love and empathy through ‘Calling in’. She urged our community to move beyond cancel culture by fostering understanding, mutual respect, and collective action—a message that resonates deeply with Lexington’s revolutionary spirit of unity and purpose 250 years ago.
This year’s celebration highlighted the intersection of Lexington’s revolutionary past and Dr. King’s legacy, as we approach 2025’s dual milestones: the 60th anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act and the Hart-Celler Immigration Act—both made possible by Dr. King’s advocacy and pivotal in shaping a more inclusive and just America.
Participants also explored the Women of the Civil Rights Movement Exhibit, highlighting key figures, and visited the Activators Fair, where they connected with opportunities to take meaningful local action and create the future they envision.
The day culminated in the Unity Walk, where hardy participants braved winds and frigid temperatures and marched from Grace Chapel to Cary Hall. At the #Lex250 #CountdownCalendar, residents gathered to honor Lexington’s enduring legacy of activism. These #DreamersAndDoers embody true #patriotism, advancing Dr. King’s dream of equality through service and activism.
#MLKDayOfService #Lex250 #CallingIn #CivilRightsAnniversary #DreamersAndDoers #UnityAndAction #CalendarKeepers
