Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. On MLK Day
Opportunities for service and community engagement in St. Louis
“We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail
Observed annually on the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a National Day of Service, honors the life and legacy of Dr. King. A key activist in the American Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King advocated for a more equitable society through non-violent protests. MLK Day is a call to action to honor his vision through acts of community service and reflect on his commitment to justice and equality.
In St. Louis, several events will be taking place to commemorate Dr. King’s legacy and engage with the community:
- 2025 Mid-County Martin Luther King Jr Celebration
- Sponsored by Ameren Missouri and Normandy Schools Collaborative, the Annual Mid-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrates honors the life and legacy of our civil and human rights hero. This celebration is a shared vision between communities in the cities of Wellston and Pine Lawn that is now one of the largest MLK celebrations in our region. We invite you to attend our Prayer & Leadership Breakfast, Parade, and Program featuring speakers, music, and commUNITY resource table made available by our sponsors.
- Saturday, January 18 – Prayer and Leadership Breakfast begins at 9:00am. RSVP is required.
- Monday, January 20- Parade Assembly begins at 10 a.m. at Barack Obama Elementary School to Normandy High School at 11 a.m. (1.5 miles).
- Monday, January 20 – MLK Celebration begins at 12 p.m. at Normandy High School.
- Normandy High School, 6701 St. Charles Rock Road Wellston, MO 63133
- Sponsored by Ameren Missouri and Normandy Schools Collaborative, the Annual Mid-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrates honors the life and legacy of our civil and human rights hero. This celebration is a shared vision between communities in the cities of Wellston and Pine Lawn that is now one of the largest MLK celebrations in our region. We invite you to attend our Prayer & Leadership Breakfast, Parade, and Program featuring speakers, music, and commUNITY resource table made available by our sponsors.
- MLK Week & Inclusive Excellence Speaker Series: Dr. Kemi Doll
- Kemi Doll will deliver a keynote exploring Black-White racial inequity in endometrial cancer. She will also share insights from her work as a gynecologic oncologist and an advocate for equity in healthcare.
- Friday, January 24, 12 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
- Eric P. Newman Education Center, 320 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Friday, January 24, 12 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
- Kemi Doll will deliver a keynote exploring Black-White racial inequity in endometrial cancer. She will also share insights from her work as a gynecologic oncologist and an advocate for equity in healthcare.
- 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration—Selections from Selma the Musical: The Untold Stories
- A historical-fiction, musical theater presentation by Infecting Change Theatre Company will be performed in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. After the performance, there will be a conversation and Q&A with playwright J.P. Haynes, cast members, and political strategist and organizer Jamala Rogers. The discussion will be moderated by Kathryn Bentley, the program’s creative director.
- Sunday, January 19, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- The Farrell Auditorium, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1380
- Sunday, January 19, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- A historical-fiction, musical theater presentation by Infecting Change Theatre Company will be performed in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. After the performance, there will be a conversation and Q&A with playwright J.P. Haynes, cast members, and political strategist and organizer Jamala Rogers. The discussion will be moderated by Kathryn Bentley, the program’s creative director.
- We can All Serve – MLK Food Drive
- The St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) is once again working with the St. Louis Area Foodbank to sponsor the annual MLK Food Drive, held from January 2 – 31. There are designated areas to drop off your food donation at every location and they will accept any unopened, unexpired food goods. The Foodbank does offer a list of most requested foods.
- January 2 – January 31
- All SLPL locations
- January 2 – January 31
- The St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) is once again working with the St. Louis Area Foodbank to sponsor the annual MLK Food Drive, held from January 2 – 31. There are designated areas to drop off your food donation at every location and they will accept any unopened, unexpired food goods. The Foodbank does offer a list of most requested foods.
- MLK Community Celebration
- Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the holiday weekend. Families are invited to join us for youth activism workshops, meaningful conversations on race and social justice, storytelling, movement, and craft workshops.
- January 17, 18, & 20
- Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63112
- January 17, 18, & 20
- Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the holiday weekend. Families are invited to join us for youth activism workshops, meaningful conversations on race and social justice, storytelling, movement, and craft workshops.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration: The Annual Celebration
- The 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorationhonors the legacy of Dr. King and the impact he has made on those who carry the torch for humanity. The theme of the Commemoration is “Responsibility” and is based on the quote: “Ultimately individual responsibility lies not in the external situation but in the internal response.” The event will include student performances and awards, and it will be preceded by a community service event assembling hygiene kids for youth, cards for seniors, and care packages for the unhoused. Livestream is available here for those unable to attend in person. The event is free and open to the public.
- Monday, January 20
- Community Service Event: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Umrath Lounge
- Commemoration: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Graham Chapel on the Washington University Danforth Campus
- Monday, January 20
- The 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorationhonors the legacy of Dr. King and the impact he has made on those who carry the torch for humanity. The theme of the Commemoration is “Responsibility” and is based on the quote: “Ultimately individual responsibility lies not in the external situation but in the internal response.” The event will include student performances and awards, and it will be preceded by a community service event assembling hygiene kids for youth, cards for seniors, and care packages for the unhoused. Livestream is available here for those unable to attend in person. The event is free and open to the public.
- MLK Legacy of Service
- The Mission Continues, in collaboration with Ujima, hosts a service event at George Washington Carver Farms, which restores abandoned and unsafe land to address food apartheid and environmental racism. Dress for the weather and expect to get dirty. Sign up online for the event.
- Saturday, January 18, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- George Washington Carver Farm, 3714 Penrose Street, St. Louis, MO
- Saturday, January 18, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- The Mission Continues, in collaboration with Ujima, hosts a service event at George Washington Carver Farms, which restores abandoned and unsafe land to address food apartheid and environmental racism. Dress for the weather and expect to get dirty. Sign up online for the event.
- SLSO Community Concert: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
- Join musicians of the SLSO and voices from The Sheldon’s All-Star Chorus and the UMSL’s Voices of Jubilee gospel choir at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observation at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. This year’s theme is the “Beloved Community,” a place where all can thrive. Fredricka Newton, activist and founder/CEO of the Huey P. Newton Foundation, will be delivering the keynote address. Performances by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Sheldon’s All-Star chorus and the UMSL Voices of Jubilee choir – both under the direction of Maria A. Ellis. This is a free event. No tickets or RSVPs are needed.
- Monday, January 20, 11 a.m.
- Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 Touhill Cir, St. Louis, MO 63121
- Monday, January 20, 11 a.m.
- Join musicians of the SLSO and voices from The Sheldon’s All-Star Chorus and the UMSL’s Voices of Jubilee gospel choir at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observation at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. This year’s theme is the “Beloved Community,” a place where all can thrive. Fredricka Newton, activist and founder/CEO of the Huey P. Newton Foundation, will be delivering the keynote address. Performances by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Sheldon’s All-Star chorus and the UMSL Voices of Jubilee choir – both under the direction of Maria A. Ellis. This is a free event. No tickets or RSVPs are needed.
- STLCC-Florissant Valley and NCCU’s 2025 Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration
- Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice will host their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Tuesday, Jan. 21. This in-person event will include inspiring speeches, celebrate excellence in the community with a formal award presentation and more. D’Andre Braddix, EdD, chief engagement officer at St. Louis Community College, will speak on the celebration’s theme, “Don’t Give up on the Dream!”. The contingency date for the celebration, should the College close due to inclement weather, is Thursday, Jan. 30 on the same time schedule.
- Tuesday, January 21, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Terry M. Fischer Theatre lobby, 3400 Pershall Rd., Ferguson, MO 63135
- Tuesday, January 21, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice will host their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Tuesday, Jan. 21. This in-person event will include inspiring speeches, celebrate excellence in the community with a formal award presentation and more. D’Andre Braddix, EdD, chief engagement officer at St. Louis Community College, will speak on the celebration’s theme, “Don’t Give up on the Dream!”. The contingency date for the celebration, should the College close due to inclement weather, is Thursday, Jan. 30 on the same time schedule.