Please visit https://aarc.upenn.edu for current information. Events are sponsored by the African American Resource Center and the MLK Executive Planning Committee with additional sponsors listed in parentheses.

          Penn Reads Book Donation Project; the service activity supports Philadelphia preschools/daycare centers/local bookstores; help a young child develop a love of reading by purchasing books from a curated list of short multicultural, anti-bias children’s books; list available at https://tinyurl.com/PennReadsBookList2024; your donation supports a local bookstore; ship books to African American Resource Center, 3643 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Through February 3.

15      MLK Day of Service Kick-Off Breakfast; guest speaker Charisse Burden-Stelly, assistant professor of Africana studies and political science at Carleton College; entertainment provided; 8:30 a.m.; doors open at 8 a.m.; Hall of Flags, Houston Hall; registration link TBA; info: aarc@upenn.edu. 

          Free Dog and Cat Wellness and Vaccination Clinic; clinic that will be run by appointment only; appointment calls will be accepted between 8-10 a.m. weekday mornings starting on January 2; call the Penn Ryan Veterinary Hospital’s appointment desk at (215) 898-4680 to schedule a visit; clinic is limited to two pets per household; clients should wear masks when interacting with the volunteers; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; 3900 Spruce St.

          Beautification Project; volunteers will clean designated areas and tile at Henry C. Lea Elementary School at 4700 Locust Street; daycare will be provided for youth 4 and over; dress appropriately; light refreshments and water will be provided; 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; meet at 9:45 a.m. at Houston Hall for transportation to the school.

          A Pocketbook Full of Toiletries Project; volunteers will fill pre-constructed bags with personal items that will be donated to area shelters for women; 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall; info: (215) 898-0104; no registration needed.

          Sock Stuffing Project; volunteers will assemble and stuff “wearable” crew socks and fill them with personal items; these items will be donated to area shelters; 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall; info: (215) 898-0104; no registration needed.

          Penn Reads Literacy & Children’s Art Project-“Imagine A World…!”; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. imagined a world where his four children would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”; children, ages 3 to 8, are invited to come imagine with us while we create and learn more about Dr. King’s vision; young readers will be able to participate in a theatrical storytime experience (beginning at 11:15 a.m.), explore the uniqueness of a university library, and create a book to take home; storytellers, librarians, teachers, and library staff will guide in this creation; pizza and snacks will fuel the imagination; note: all adults entering the library must present identification; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th floor, Van Pelt Library; register: bit.ly/PennReads2024Registration (Penn Libraries).

          So You Want To Go To College? A Virtual Workshop; the college admissions and financial aid application process can be overwhelming, time consuming and confusing, but this workshop will help parents and students better understand and navigate the college and  admissions process; 1 p.m.; info: aarc@upenn.edu.

          MLK 101: A Reintroduction to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; a talk by Anthony Monteiro; info: aarc@upenn.edu or toliverd@upenn.edu. 

16      King the Preacher Series; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pastor and preacher; his work for justice was grounded in his faith, yet we hear less about his sermons than we do about his speeches; hear a sermon online or attend in person; noon; Christian Association, 118 S. 37th St.; info: lecluyse@upenn.edu. Also January 23.

22      Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Candlelight Vigil; walkers will join the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mighty Psi Chapter for the Annual Candlelight Vigil; the vigil will begin outside Du Bois College House and proceed with songs and quotations from Dr. King during the walk through the campus that will end at College Green; registration link TBA; info: mcgruder@sas.upenn.edu. 

23      Diaspora Dialogue Inaugural: Cultural Appropriation; the first program in this series will explore the boundaries between appreciation and appropriation between members of the African diaspora; 5-7 p.m.; location TBD; info: aarc@upenn.edu.

24      Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture and Award Ceremony; Dorothy Roberts, the George A. Weiss University Professor of Law and Sociology and the Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights, will reflect on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with Marcia Chatelain, the Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies; 5:30 p.m.; Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center; register: https://tinyurl.com/MLKSocialJusticeLecture (PRSS, Penn Carey Law, Annenberg, Department of Africana Studies).

25      The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: An Interfaith Commemoration and Conversation in Social Justice; will honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King; the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Involvement Awards will be presented along with musical entertainment; this event will feature a conversation with Rabbi David Wolpe and Jonah Platt; 6 p.m.; Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall; info: pburch@upenn.edu (Office of the Chaplain, Office of the President, Center for Africana Studies).

29      MLK Hallmark Program: SCOTUS Ruling on Affirmative Action: Implications for Higher Education and Beyond; 5-7 p.m.; Terrace Room, Cohen Hall (Barbara and Edward Netter Center, Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development).

31      Jazz for King; enjoy the sweet sounds of Genn Bryan & Friends and MC Diane Leslie; 6-10 p.m.; location TBD. 

2/3      MLK Sports & Wellness Event; YoungQuakers Community Athletics’ (YQCA) invite families from Penn and West Philadelphia to engage in virtual sports and wellness activities under the guidance and encouragement of Penn students and staff; families may participate in yoga, bodyweight fitness exercises, and sports performance activities; participants will also hear from speakers about how they’ve embraced Dr. King’s principles in their own lives; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Pottruck Health and Fitness Center; registration link TBA (Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics, Netter Center for Community Partnerships).