2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute, Week of Service Set

Montgomery County is hosting the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday tribute and celebration in a virtual program at 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18. “In His and Their Own Words: Reflecting Our Past While Forecasting the Future” will honor Dr. King’s life through dramatic readings and musical and dance performances.

This year’s event will include remarks by County Executive Marc Elrich and President of County Council Tom Hucker and introductory program remarks by Director Office of Human Rights James Stowe. Montgomery County Council Members will recite brief excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches and four students will share personal letters addressed to “Dear Martin” in their own words. The virtual event will feature an interactive segment that will allow the viewing audience to create MLK-inspired art in real time, while enjoying uplifting thought-provoking performances by Chelsey Green, Dem Raider Boyz and the Akhmedova Ballet Academy.

As a finale, world-renowned jazz musician and Montgomery County native Marcus Johnson will end with a special performance. Students can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours by watching the celebration and participating in an advocacy and reflection exercise as part of an MLK Week of Service districtwide SSL opportunity. More details are available on the MLK Student Service Learning project page.  

The event, produced by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee and the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, will be available on County Cable Montgomery at Comcast/RCN channel 6 and HD channel 996 or Verizon channel 30 and County Cable Facebook. 

Registration is encouraged to receive a reminder email with the direct link to the event and instructions on how to participate in the live interactive part of the show. For more information, visit the event registration page  or the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights website.    

In addition, each year, MCPS works with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center to promote service opportunities and acts of kindness. In recognition of the MLK Week of Service—which is being held from Saturday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 24—schools are encouraged to host a virtual schoolwide or class-wide service event. Volunteer opportunities are available here, and staff can submit school projects here.

Delta Sigma Theta Hosting Zoom MLK Program on Jan. 18 

The Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta is facilitating a program on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, “Real Talk in a Virtual World.” The program will be held via Zoom from 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18. There will be presentations from speakers including Jeff Menzise, research associate professor at Morgan State University, who will discuss mental health support during the pandemic; certified running coach Erica Woods; and estate planning and probate attorney Shakisha A. Morgan with The Griffin Firm. For more information and to RSVP, click here.