Here’s where and how you can celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Kansas City
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 17. It’s one of the only holidays that doubles as a national day of service.
To honor and commemorate the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy, organizations and nonprofits around Kansas City are hosting events and service projects.
If you are looking for a way to get involved for this year’s MLK Day, check out this list of events.
Kansas City Zoo Donation Drive
The Kansas City Zoo is hosting a donation drive with Giving the Basics. The zoo is inviting people to donate hygiene and cleaning products that will support 76 pantries and 350 schools.
Items most needed include, all-purpose cleaner, laundry soap and full and travel size lotion. The zoo will be closed on Jan. 17 but the donation drive will run through the month.
SCLC-GKC 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass Celebration
Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City is hosting its 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass Celebration and an interfaith service on Monday.
The event will feature a special keynote from Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie The free event will be both virtual and in-person on Jan. 17, starting at 6:00 pm at The Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church at 2310 E Linwood Blvd, Kansas City. See the rest of the itinerary and register online here.
Alpha Phi Alpha’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
The Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, will host its 24th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast. The event will feature a community discussion on health equity, economic development and education.
The event will start at 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 17. You can register for virtual attendance here.
Kansas City, Kansas, 2022 Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration
Streaming on Facebook at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, this celebration’s theme is “Decaying Democracy, Vaporous Voting Rights, Rising Pandemic…Still Dreaming.”
This hour-long event is hosted by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, in collaboration with the local faith community. To learn more visit the event’s Facebook page.
The 38th Annual Northland Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
The Liberty Martin Luther King, Jr. Program Committee and the Clay County African American Legacy will host its 38th annual Northland Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. in the John Gano Memorial Chapel at E Mississippi St,, Liberty.
The event will feature special music guests, awards and a keynote address from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
City Year Day of Service (Waitlist)
City Year Kansas City will be hosting an in-person service opportunity where participants will paint murals for Garfield Elementary School. There will also be a virtual program on Monday, Jan. 17 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am that will focus on social justice and instructions for the mural project.
This event is sold out but those still interested in participating can contact City Year development manager Chaz Hoskis at choskins@cityyear.org to be put on the waitlist.
Annual MLK Nature Walk
KC Parks and Recreation and Heartland Conversation will host a 2.5 mile guided nature walk on Monday, Jan. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The walk will start at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Square Park and end at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center.
Afterwards, KC Parks and Rec will host a clean-up of Brush Creek. For more information, contact Madeline Putman at (816) 806-8084 or info@heartlandconservationalliance.org.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Meditation
The Midwest Alliance for Mindfulness is celebrating MLK day with a guided meditation. Donations will be accepted and will go to Kansas City non-profit, Uzazi VIllage, which is aimed at improving health inequalities, according to the event’s website.
The event will be on Jan. 17 at 12 p.m. noon. Check here to donate and register for the event.
Cleaver Family YMCA MLK Day of Service
The Cleaver Family YMCA will be hosting a variety of service projects for those looking to give back. Projects will include writing cards with words of encouragement for assisted living communities, creating health care kits for those without housing and making dog treats for KC Pet Project.
The event will be Jan. 17 at 9:00 am until 12:00 p.m. at 7000 Troost Ave, Kansas City. Check here to learn more and register for the event.
Linwood Family YMCA MLK Day of Service
On Monday, Jan. 17, the Linwood Family YMCA is also inviting community members to help with a number of service projects, including helping to assemble care packages and hygiene kits.
The event will start at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at 3800 Linwood Road, Kansas City. For more information check out this website or call 816-923-5675.
What else is happening on MLK Day?
Science City at Union Station Kansas City will be open for a day of “discovery and fun.” Science City will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be a variety of activities including igloo construction, pine cone owl making and over 300 exhibits to check out. To learn more check out the venue’s website.
Next month: UMKC Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture Series
The University of Missouri Kansas City’s Division of Diversity is hosting its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture Series. The lecture will be given by PBS NewsHour contributor and Washington Week Moderator Yamiche Alcindor and hosted by The Star’s breaking news reporter Glenn E. Rice.
The event will be on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Register for the event here.
This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
