Martin Luther King Jr. Day

MLK 50: Past, Present and Future Retrospective

This year represents Rockville’s 50-year history of celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration of Dr. King and a time of societal transition, Rockville’s Channel 11 aired a video recap of past MLK events.


A Virtual Interactive Event and Awards Ceremony

Monday, January 17, 2022

Harmony’s African American Legacy Organization hosted a virtual interactive event as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. HALO was founded by a quartet of African American singers who broke ground as the first quartet of African American singers to compete on the international contest stage of any of the major barbershop organization. The organization utilizes singing and the active-listening experience of barbershop music as a framework for conversations about sociopolitical issues like racial equity. Programming is developed by artistic directors that include a board-certified musical therapist and a board-certified licensed clinical social worker.

Volunteer Activities, Week of Service  

January 17 - 23, 2022

In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the city has planned the following activities that will take place during week of service January 17 to 23, 2022:

  1. Clean- up Trail at Croydon Creek Nature Center
  2. Weed-Warrior Activity
  3. Create a Care Kit for an immigrant/refugee:
  4. Self-Guided Neighborhood Cleanup
  5. Make a blanket for a Sick Child
  6. Make a scarf for Struggling Families
  7. Create a Thank You Note for a Senior

Visit the Rockville volunteer page for more information and to sign up: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/Volunteer

Other DC Area Events

View Martin Luther King Jr.’s original “I Have a Dream” speech from the 1963 March on Washington at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

The museum is open to the public on Monday, Jan. 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The exhibit will be on view in the “Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom” gallery from Jan. 13-Feb. 27. Advanced and same-day free timed-entry passes are  available online. 

 Still have questions? Contact: 

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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240-314-8304
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Ali Hoy
ahoy@rockvillemd.gov
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111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Awards

As part of the celebration, the City of Rockville’s Human Rights Commission will present two awards. The Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award is given to a student from a Rockville high school who has worked to fulfill Dr. King's dream. The F. Michael Taff Award is given to a business, organization or adult that has helped to improve the lives of people with disabilities. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Award

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Award is for a high school student (living in or attending a school in Rockville) who has helped to advance the goals and dreams of Dr. King in either their school or the community.

F. Michael Taff Award

The Taff Award nomination is awarded to an individual, organization, non-profit employer or business that has helped to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the City of Rockville, such as through efforts to improve accessibility or raise public awareness.