MLK Day in Greenville, Anderson: How you can honor the life, legacy of Martin Luther King

Upstate communities along with others nationwide are beginning celebrations in honor of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The national holiday in observance of the birthday of the slain civil rights leader this year is Jan. 16.

King would have turned 94 on Jan. 15. And activities are focused on keeping King's message of unity and servitude alive.

Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson have prepared events to promote King's dream and commitment to service to uplift communities.

Here are a few opportunities around the area to use the day off, as a day on, and serve the communities and places we live.

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MLK Day of Service, United Way of Greenville County

In a partnership with the city of Greenville, and alongside Litter Ends Here and PalmettoPride, the United Way of Greenville County is teaming up for a countywide clean-up which spans five areas ranging from three-to-six miles from 9 a.m. until noon on Monday, Jan. 16.

"People want to do something to improve their community, and at the grassroots level we want to bring people together to clean up and start the year off right," said Greg Van De Voorde, vice president of communications at United Way Greenville. "Dr. King's most important question is 'what you are doing in service for others.'"

At 6 p.m., a town hall meeting is set to discuss income and wealth and how it relates to housing and economic justice in Greenville. The event is hosted by the Racial Equity & Economic Mobility (REEM) Commission and will take place at the Phillis Wheatley Community Center, 335 Greenacre Road.

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Spartanburg's MLK Unity Celebration

The 36th annual Unity Week Celebration started on Jan. 9 with a news conference about this year's events. Activities include a Kindness Day to show kindness to others on Friday, Jan. 13.

On Saturday, Jan. 14, the "Walk as One" march will begin at 9 a.m. at the Spartanburg County Administrative Building, located at 366 N. Church St. A Family Swim In will be held after the walk from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, hosted at the Dr. TK Gregg Community Center, 650 Howard St.

The United Way Day of Service will take place on Monday, Jan. 16, and afterward the celebration will end with a program at 6:30 p.m. at the Spartanburg District 7 Fine Arts Center,  on 2250 E. Main St. The program features a speech from Roslyn Clark Artis, president and CEO of Benedict College.

To sign up for volunteering efforts, visit here.

Dream Day 2023, United Way of Anderson County

Engage, act and recommit to a morning of servitude alongside the United Way of Anderson County as the MLK Day celebration starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, with volunteers and event leaders gathering at New Beginnings Church at 805 Southwood St., for a day of good deeds and community clean up.

The four-hour event will aim to continue social justice and equity efforts and a volunteering effort to serve the people of Anderson County. This is Dream Day's 40th year.

Those who wish to volunteer are encouraged to sign up for Saturday's event prior to Friday evening. Donations can be made at contribute any dollar amount, here.

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2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration, Clemson University

Clemson University's three-day commemoration involves a day of service from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, Jan. 16. A commemorative keynote program headlined by Yolanda Renee King, the sole granddaughter of Martin Luther King will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 17 at Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, 141 Jersey Lane, Clemson. And a campus oratorical competition inspired by King's "I have a Dream" speech is scheduled for Jan. 19.

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Choose from a list of projects that include cleanup of the local park, participate in community engagement assignments, fellowship and network while at the day of service events. Those interested are encouraged to register for the event, as breakfast will be provided before servitude begins.

Building the Beloved Community 2023, Furman University

Furman University and the Alpha Phi Alpha Greenville Foundation are set to partner for events lasting January through February that memorialize their 44th celebration of MLK Day in Greenville.

Following a scholarship celebration in early January, the MLK community breakfast will take place at 8 a.m. on Jan. 13 at the Younts Conference Center, 1250 Duncan Chapel Road, Greenville. The cost is $50 per seat.

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On Monday, Jan. 16, a "Day of Service" begins at 9:30 a.m. with breakfast and a community service event from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

In February, an oratorical contest will be held at Wade Hampton High beginning at 10 a.m., a speech competition dedicated to Joseph Bond, the first black undergraduate student at Furman University.

– A.J. Jackson covers arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: MLK in Greenville: How to honor the life, legacy of Martin Luther King