The city of Southfield and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force will host the 38^th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Peace Walk Celebration on Monday, January 16 beginning at 9 a.m. at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway. This year’s theme will be “The Global Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

The peace walk will depart from Hope United Methodist Church, located at 26275 Northwestern Highway at 9:00 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. program at the Southfield Pavilion, located at 26000 Evergreen Road. Community members wishing to participate in this year’s Peace March are asked to arrive by 9:00 a.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church gymnasium. Participants are also asked to wear a mask. A Taste Fest will be held immediately following the Program in the Southfield Pavilion.

“Our theme of “The Global Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” provides the backdrop for our event,” according to Faira Glenn, President of the Task Force. “We want to continue to provide the community with the assistance needed during these difficult times as we remember Dr. King and his commitment to dreaming of a world that recognized and believed in the humanity of all.”

The Task Force will also recognize youth for their community service at the MLK Youth Service Awards at Hope United Methodist Church on January 10 at 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-youth-services-awards-tickets-470855179517?aff=eand

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, Inc. is an all-volunteer grassroots civic organization. Its mission and purpose is to celebrate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to accept the challenges to work to make real the promise of America as a land of freedom, equality, opportunity, and brotherhood, and to commit to plan observances to remind us of his philosophy of non-violent actions for creating positive social change. They are a civic and advocacy organization guided by the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to facilitate social change, the education of our youth and to promote justice.

Southfield was the first city in the state of Michigan to hold a Dr. King peace walk or march. The first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk took place on January 20, 1986, commemorating the first national observance of Dr. King’s birthday. The walk continues to grow in size and scope each year, with year-long educational and community outreach activities.

For general information, call the MLK Task Force hotline at (248) 924-9MLK or visit www.mlktaskforcemi.org.