Dr. King's Legacy in Action: Celebrate MLK Day with Ford Philanthropy Nonprofit Partners

Three people in blue Ford Volunteer T-shirts and one person in a Team Rubicon shirt working and watching a tarp attachment to wood. Others are in the background working on different projects. Text in a gray box in the lower right corner: Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Everybody can be great because anybody can serve," said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as a National Day of Service, a time to come together and make a difference in our communities.

 

In tribute to Dr. King, Ford Philanthropy is supporting nonprofit partners hosting events and initiatives that honor his legacy. Check out the links below to learn how you can get involved.

  • National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis, Tenn.
    On January 20, the National Civil Rights Museum will host a daylong celebration with the theme, Community Over Chaos. Guests can enjoy free admission (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and opportunities to give back, such as donating blood or canned goods.
     
  • The King Center – Atlanta, Ga.
    From January 8 to 20, The King Center will host a series of events, including the MLK Beloved Community Awards, a youth book reading, and a Nonviolence365 lunch and learn. The 2025 theme, Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365, will guide these programs.
     
  • The Henry Ford Museum – Dearborn, Mich.
    From January 18 to 20, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation will offer programs, performances, and living history demonstrations. Admission and parking will be free on January 20.
     
  • Charles H. Wright Museum – Detroit, Mich.
    On January 20, the Charles H. Wright Museum will celebrate Dr. King's life with the theme of The Strength to Dream: Resilience in the Legacy of Dr. King. Events will include community leader talks, film screenings, and prayer breakfasts for all ages.

 

Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, Ford employees can give back to their communities with 16 hours of paid service. U.S.-based employees can now visit Deed to find ways to get involved this January and beyond.