Brandeis joins together to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

Campus comes together to serve local community and follow Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings

Photos/Maegann Stafford

A still of Martin Luther King Jr. at the ninth annual Interfaith Day of Service, during which Brandeis community members came together to pack meals for nonprofits, attend workshops, and learn from leaders in activism and government.

Students attended workshops on a variety on topics, including MLK's legacy

The Brandeis community honored Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy on Monday by coming together for a day of service that bears his name.

This year’s ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Day of Service brought together dozens of students, faculty and staff across campus for a celebration of community service and social justice.

Monday’s event began with Brandeisians packing meals for local area food pantries and congregations, then segued into a series of workshops and discussions about discrimination, chaplaincy, youth activism and MLK’s legacy. 

Brandeisians coming together to deliver meals for local pantries.

“It’s very inspiring to see our entire community take up Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with this day of service event organized in his honor every year,” said director of community service Lucas Malo. “This year’s event featured an array of discussions, workshops and community service opportunities that speak to inclusion, justice and equality, all of which are hallmarks of what our nation celebrates on MLK Day each year.”

The Day of Service culminated in a talk with Kevin Peterson, the founder and executive director of the New Democracy Coalition, a non-partisan and non-profit NGO that focuses on civic engagement across the country. Peterson is also on the board of directors of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Alabama.

Students began the day by helping pack meals for local pantries and congregations.

The Department of Spiritual and Religious Life organized the MLK Interfaith Day of Service with on-campus partners including the Department of Community Service, The Waltham Group, Intercultural Center, and International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life, the Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program and the MLK Fellows in Academic Services, together with Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries, a nonprofit that provides food to the hungry.