Blog

Honor MLK Jr.’s life and legacy with us

MLK Jr. Day of Service celebrates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy through service. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Jr. Day is one of only two federal holidays designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. 

Historical and systemic racism drive racial inequities in our country, and in our own community. We partner with you in building a Greater Austin that works for everyone. Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King is central to United Way for Greater Austin’s community volunteerism because it helps us reconnect with our mission to fight poverty in our community, and reminds us that together we can enact the change we want to see.

While this year looks different from our previous community gatherings, we invite you to join us for a socially distanced celebration, and a virtual gathering full of reflection and motivation on how to carry on Dr. King’s legacy of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We have opportunities for individuals, families, and groups of friends.


MLK Jr. Day of Service

Monday, January 18, 2021

Socially distanced: Park at the United Way ATX office and follow our pre-mapped 3.3 mile round-trip self-guided tour of historical landmarks celebrating Black culture on the East Side.

Virtual: Celebrate the life of Dr. King by viewing Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, engaging in discussion around his life and legacy, and taking a virtual tour of his childhood home in Atlanta. We’ve curated an easy at-home activity for the whole family!

Virtual: Join us at 10:00 a.m. on January 18 for a short community moment, reflection, and advocacy call to action. We will reflect together on Dr. King’s life, and share practical ways to advocate for change in our community.

Sign up today



Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. every year is critical to our commitment for service and advocacy. We join our community in the fight for racial equity and creating an Austin that works for everyone. Thank you for your continued support. To learn more about our ongoing work, visit the United Way ATX website.

Have questions about volunteering or want to create a custom project for your company? You can reach Jordan Gutierrez-Ramirez at volunteer@uwatx.org.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *