MLK Day of Service: Community Partners Unite to keep Dr. King’s dream alive

A powerful coalition of Bronzeville and Englewood community partners has mobilized over $60,000 to orchestrate the 7th annual King Day of Service, engaging more than 350 volunteers across 10 Chicago Public School and community organization sites on Monday, January 20, 2025. They were recently awarded a Healing Illinois Grant of $25,000 provided by the Field Foundation as part of their fundraising efforts.

The day-long celebration begins at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. High School (4445 S. Drexel Blvd) with a breakfast and program from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by community service activities at various Bronzeville and Englewood locations from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Since 2019, Organic Oneness and Engage Civil Inc., led by a Bronzeville-based married couple, have united community partners to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service and unity. The initiative’s success in Bronzeville led to its expansion into Englewood last year. See videos and pictures of the past six years of King Day of Service on www.organiconeness.org

The morning program will feature interfaith prayers, excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches, and stirring performances of “We Shall Overcome” and the Black National Anthem by acclaimed vocalists Zion Ali and Felena Bunn. Volunteers will then deploy to various service projects, including classroom painting, space beautification, creating “Blessing Bags” for the homeless through Project I AM, and mural painting guided by renowned artists Rahmaan “Statik” Barnes, Melana Bass, Joe Cujo, and Damon Lamar Reed.

2025 Service Sites:

Bronzeville:

  • Donoghue Charter (707 E 37th St)
  • Dyett High School (555 E. 51st St)
  • King College Prep (4445 S. Drexel) ●       Pershing Magnet (3200 S. Calumet)
  • Murray Language Academy (5335 S. Kenwood)
  • Reavis Elementary (834 E. 50th St)
  • Timothy Community Corporation (4351 S Drexel Blvd)
  • Woodson Elementary (4414 S. Evans)

Englewood:

  • Growing Home (5814 S. Wood St)
  • Imagine Englewood If (6407 S. Honore St)

“Without Dr. King and all that he represents, I likely wouldn’t own my company,” reflects Engage Civil President Kelsey A. Taylor. “As a Chicago resident, I believe it’s crucial to create spaces where people can build trust and work together towards a common goal. Unity must be our objective, and service is the path to achieve it.”

Syda S. Taylor, Executive Director of Organic Oneness, adds, “In today’s turbulent world, those of us who believe in the oneness of humanity must be bold, audacious, and courageous. Our voices and actions are urgently needed now more than ever!”

About Organic Oneness 

Organic Oneness is a grassroots social justice organization that brings people together to eliminate racism and create healthy communities in Chicago. To learn more visit www.organiconeness.org or call us at 312.371.7036

About Engage Civil, Incorporated

Engage Civil Incorporated is a professional services firm specializing in civil site design and consulting services in support of civic, municipal, and commercial development sites in the Chicago region. To learn more visit www.engagecivil.com or call us at 872.216.9819.

Additional co-creators:   Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention Chicago Public Schools, FACE Creative Capital Diverse City Globe Town Media Illinois Tech Jack and Jill Lakeshore Chapter  Nancy Wong Photography ReKinNectar Skills for Chicagoland’s Future TRECC University of Chicago  UChicago Black Action in Public Policy Yooj DesignFunders:   Healing Illinois, Field Foundation Wayfarer Foundation Organic Oneness Engage Civil Inc. Protiviti Lake Meadows Retail Hyde Park Kenwood Interfaith Council Brook Architecture Inc. Providence Northwestern Mutual AC Talent Services  

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