Culture PickSharing inspirational quotes on MLK day is great, but the best way to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. is to actually do something that embodies what he stood for. The holiday is not just to commemorate Dr. King and his activism, but also to put his ideas into action on a “day of service”– for our communities, for our city and for country. We’ll go a step further and suggest a month of helping others, and more if possible.

L.A. Works (founded 30 years ago as Los Angeles’ premiere volunteer action center in Los Angeles) is encouraging Angelenos to participate in local volunteer opportunities on the holiday and beyond. Of course, with the pandemic and recent surges, getting out there isn’t as simple as it once was. Still, you can be a part of the movement virtually by watching a “Minecraft March on Washington” and a “Share Your Experience with Students” panel via L.A. Works’s website.

Education equity and the academic achievement gap is an issue the organization is focused on a lot these days. Click here to learn more about it and get involved. L.A. Works also asks those interested in doing some good to go to their calendar and sign-up for upcoming projects including card-making to support LAUSD teachers, opportunities to help tutor L.A. students via their Step Up and Reading Partners groups, and more. More info at LAWorks.com/MLK.

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