Monday, Jan. 16 is Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day and there are plenty of opportunities throughout Idaho to volunteer and celebrate King’s legacy.
Historically, Martin Luther King Jr. Day marks the recognition of the birth and life of the Baptist minister and noted civil rights leader. National legislation passed in 1994 encouraging Americans to transform the holiday into a day of citizen action in honor of King. If you have Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day off, you can put it to good use by participating in one of the many day of service activities across Idaho.
Learn more about events planned around the state:
Southwest Idaho
Boise State University MLK march, rally and celebration. Boise State University poster-making, march and rally to be held on Monday, Jan. 16 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Student Union Jordan Ballroom and ending at the steps of the Idaho State Capitol at noon.
Martin Luther King Jr / Idaho Human Rights Day celebration at the Idaho State Capitol Building on Monday, Jan. 16 at noon. The public is invited to attend this hourlong celebration of “a day of service” honoring the life, accomplishments and continuing legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event will feature keynote speaker Said Ahmed-Zaid, College of Engineering, Boise State University; master of ceremonies Francisco Salinas, director of student diversity and inclusion, Boise State University and the Boise State University Trumpeters. Allison Tilden will sing the National Anthem.
The Treasure Valley NAACP Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. second annual commemorative dinner will take place on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Red Lion Hotel in downtown Boise. This event will feature a cocktail hour and keynote address by special guest Willie L. Baber.
The Mountain Home Community Black History Committee annual prayer breakfast will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Elks Lodge. This event will feature guest speaker Angela Taylor, founder and CEO, AFT22 Enterprises, LLC.
Southeast Idaho
The NAACP is holding a “Making Lives Matter: Where Do We Go from Here?” themed luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 14 at noon in the Idaho State University Pond Student Union Wood River Room.
The Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship service will be held Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. This event will feature guest speakers Bishop Samuel and Mona Kasah Heern and music by ISU Children’s Select Choir.
The Idaho State University Martin Luther King Jr. march and program will be held Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. beginning at the south side of Holt Arena and ending at the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center.
The speaking portion of the event will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Stephens Center Marshall Rotunda. The theme of the event is “The Promissory Note: We’ve Come to Our Nation’s Capital to Cash a Check.” The program’s keynote speaker is ISU student Taylor Ramos, delivering the speech “We are Still Fighting for the Future.”
North Central Idaho
University of Idaho will host a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.
Lewis-Clark State College is hosting a Martin Luther King Jr. – Idaho Human Rights Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 16. The event will include refreshments, music, a candlelit walk to the Center for Arts and History and opportunities to volunteer at local agencies.
Northern Idaho
The Martin Luther King Human Rights community breakfast will take place in the multi-purpose room of Moscow Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 9 a.m.
The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations is holding a children’s program honoring the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Lake City Community Church on Thursday, Jan. 12.
Learn more about more volunteer opportunities at Serve Idaho.