Spartanburg continues week of events honoring Martin Luther King Jr's life and legacy.

Joanna Johnson, Spartanburg Herald-Journal
·3 min read
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Spartanburg County will come together and work as one to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

Activities are scheduled from Thursday, Jan. 11 through Monday, Jan., 15, the national holiday honoring King. His birthday is Jan.15, and the national holiday honoring him is always on the third Monday in January.

Spartanburg community leaders are encouraging residents to get involved and work together on activities ranging from a Unity Walk on Saturday, Jan. 13, to volunteering with the Unity Way of the Piedmont's day of service on Jan. 15. Earlier in the week on Tuesday, Jan. 9, a luncheon was held to talk about child poverty and homelessness.

"Dr. King envisioned a beloved community, a place where the bonds of fellowship transcend all divisions, where love and understanding prevail," said Spartanburg Mayor Jerome Rice. "Not only to commemorate a great leader but also to celebrate our shared commitment to building a community that embodies his dream."

A 'Walk as One' event was held in downtown Spartanburg on Jan. 14, 2023. The event as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration Week in Spartanburg.
A 'Walk as One' event was held in downtown Spartanburg on Jan. 14, 2023. The event as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration Week in Spartanburg.

Here are the events for 2024 Spartanburg Martin Luther King Day.

Martin Luther King art contest winners announced

The Artists' Guild MLK Poster Art Contest will announce the winners during a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, hosted at the Chapman Cultural Center at 200 E. St. John St.

All student participants and their parents are welcome to attend. The artwork showing runs all day through Jan.13, Jan. 16-20, Jan. 23-27, and Jan. 30-31.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledges the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial for his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963. The march was organized to support proposed civil rights legislation and end segregation.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledges the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial for his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963. The march was organized to support proposed civil rights legislation and end segregation.

Spartanburg residents asked to show kindness to others

Residents should think about ways they can show kindness to others. All day Friday, Jan. 12, residents are encouraged to show kindness to each other in hopes it spreads and helps to create a more inclusive community.

The act of kindness comes from King's message of showing kindness to others.

Unity walk to bring together communities

Come together with others in the community to show unity and honor King in a short walk around downtown.

The Walk as One is a highlight of the King events in Spartanburg. The walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg, 151 Ribault St.

Refreshments and more activities will follow.

Program focuses on the teachings of King

Each year, activist and author, Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated for his life and legacy on his birthday, January 15.
Each year, activist and author, Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated for his life and legacy on his birthday, January 15.

A celebration of King's teachings and fight for equality is the focus of a discussion at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, located at the District 7 Fine Arts Center, 2250 E. Main St. Spartanburg.

Attendees will come together and reflect on King's teachings and promote equality, justice, and unity.

The Spartanburg County Baptist Association is sponsoring the event.

The event is sponsored by the Spartanburg County Baptist Association.

Volunteer to help those in need during the United Way's Day of Service

Volunteer helping others during a day of service sponsored by the United Way of the Piedmont.

A kick-off breakfast is at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Dr. TK Gregg Community Center at 650 Howard St.

Activities include laying out new growing beds to prepare for spring plantings at Ruth's Gleanings Northside Community Garden, cleaning up spaces in the Highland and Little Africa communities and more areas.

To get more information about activities, you can enroll here.

Joanna Johnson covers community news for the Herald-Journal. Reach her via email at jjohnson@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg encourages others to come together to honor MLK's legacy