Charlotte-area events that celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy

CHARLOTTE — Several events are planned this year to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Please use the links provided to check for last-minute updates before you go.

Events Monday

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture and Levine Museum of the New South Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

The daylong program includes a civil rights arts and crafts station, story time, music, films, trivia, and other activities. Admission is free. Click here for the full schedule.

Davidson MLK Celebration

The town of Davidson will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Davidson Town Hall. Link

Fort Mill annual MLK Call to Service Day

The town of Fort Mill is hosting its MLK Call to Service Day on Monday spotlighting seven area organizations that each need critical items for the populations they serve. Participants can leave donations in the marked boxes outside Town Hall from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Click here for more information, including a full list of requested donations and details about each organization.

Weekend events

In north Charlotte, more than 400 volunteers packed into Northside Baptist Church Saturday to help fill snack packs for United Way of Greater Charlotte. The organization hosts annual service projects to honor Dr. King.

United Way said the project was meant to support nonprofits while also giving volunteers a chance to reflect on Dr. King’s life.

“There is a desire for the community to come together and to think outside of one another,” said Bob Young with United Way of Greater Charlotte. “I think during the pandemic, it was easy to very insulated and to think about just yourself. I think we’re coming out of our cocoon a little bit and this is evidence of that.”

The bags will be distributed to kids at afterschool programs in the Charlotte area.

Also on Saturday, the Charlotte chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha hosted a blood drive with One Blood. Organizers told Channel 9 they are always looking for ways to give back to the community.

“A blood drive is one of those things we don’t think about as often as a form of giving back but its very vital especially during times like these where hospitals are filled,” said Lamont Booker of Alpha Phi Alpha. “It’s very instrumental to have the blood stock the supplies they need, so this is just one way that we can give back.”

Alpha Phi Alpha also offers mentorship programs, training courses and scholarship opportunities for students.

The next day, community leaders marched through Uptown Charlotte alongside hundreds of people in honor of Dr. King. Mayor Vi Lyles and Charlotte City Councilman James Mitchell were in attendance.

“Dr. King left a legacy for us, especially as a Black man myself, we’re here to carry on his legacy, to continue to sing his praises, even though he’s on from us,” marcher Cole Hooker said.

After the march, attendees gathered for a wreath-laying ceremony in Marshall Park.

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