5 Ways To Celebrate MLK Day In The Workplace

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the leader of the civil rights movement and the man responsible for changing the course of American history through his heroic actions for social justice and the move toward equality for people of color. To honor King’s legacy, on November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan designated a national holiday recognizing the civil rights leader’s life and his monumental work for racial justice. This year, Martin Luther King Day, also known as the National Day of Service, is on the third Monday in January. Many businesses are seeking to honor the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s legacy by participating in various volunteer opportunities both in and out of the workplace. This list of exciting activities is great for those looking for MLK Day celebration ideas that will encourage your employees to get involved and give back to their community. 

Participate In A Drive 
 

Virtually every workplace has multiple nonprofits in their area that could benefit from a wide range of supplies. Whether it’s food, clothing, pet supplies, hygiene products, or more, having your employees participate in a drive is an excellent way to give back to the community and help low-income families. You can also ask your employees for suggestions on what organizations they would like to be involved with, creating a more personal touch that deepens their connection to the cause. 

Host A Social Justice Forum 
 

Hosting a social justice forum is an excellent way to shed light on the most important topics facing our country today, like racial injustice, voting rights, Black Lives Matter, and issues specific to your local community. By encouraging open dialogue and critical thinking, you can promote a feeling of inclusion and ensure your employee’s voices are heard.
  

Participate In Community Service Activities 
 

Gathering your employees together to perform community service activities is an excellent way to bond and serve others simultaneously. Many nonprofit organizations would welcome your assistance, and you may find that it becomes a monthly or quarterly activity that you continue with after the Federal holiday has passed. 

 
Share Your Values 
 

MLK Day is the perfect time to share your companies values with your customers and employees. Take the time to reflect on what you stand for and how you can better represent the ideals that Dr. King fought so hard to promote. Consider asking your employees how they believe you’ve done in upholding your mission of service and what they believe you can improve upon going forward. Keeping an open mind and involving employee participation is an excellent way to ensure a positive work environment that honors the core beliefs the Dr. King died for. 
 

Raise Funds For Relief Programs 
 

Raising funds for relief programs is an easy way to contribute to those who have experienced natural disasters. Having your employees participate by raising funds and awarding a prize to the one who brings in the most is a fun way to make a friendly competition that benefits those who have lost everything. 

Fun Facts About Martin Luther King Jr 
 

1.The date we celebrate MLK Day was chosen for its proximate to Dr. King’s birthday, January 15th. 
 
2. We celebrate MLK Day to reflect on the principles held dear to the beloved Baptist minister, like nonviolent social justice and racial equality. 
 
3. Martin Luther King was married to Coretta Scott King on June 18th, 1953, and the pair had four children. 
 
4. At the age of 35, Dr. King became the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. 
 
5. Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech is one of the best-known in history and is credited as the turning point for the civil rights movement. 
 
6. MLK Day wasn’t officially adopted by all fifty states until the year 2000, almost fifteen years after its adoption as a Federal holiday. 

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. 
 

Carrot-Top Industries is proud to provide educational institutions with high-quality flags and banners. As a federal holiday, many schools choose to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day by creating custom banners and flags. Create your own customized banner displaying your name or mascot while waving our high-quality mini flags for a perfect touch of patriotic pride. Our banners are made of premium 200-denier nylon and digitally printed with vivid colors so you can display your logo with confidence. Every banner and flag is perfect for indoor and outdoor use at parades, events, and more! As with all Carrot-Top Industries products, every banner and flag is held to the highest quality standards, ensuring long-lasting weather resistance for years to come! 

For more information on our wide range of products or for answers to any questions, contact Carrot-Top Industries.