Jan. 20 is a day to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. All around Bloomington, on-campus and off, events are happening in honor of MLK Jr. From breakfasts to volunteer events, there are plenty of options to attend.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration — Indiana Memorial Union
From 9:30-11:30 a.m. Indiana University will host its annual MLK Leadership breakfast. It will be held at the Indiana Memorial Union in Alumni Hall. The event is hosted by the IU Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The event will include music, a keynote by Rev. Leah Gunning Francis, IU Health’s senior vice president and chief mission and values officer. The 2025 IU Building Bridges award recipients will be announced during the event. The Building Bridges award is awarded to an individual who captures Dr. King’s vision, spirit and leadership in ways both big and small, according to the award’s website.
The program is free and will also be live streamed.
“We invite you to join us for a morning of fellowship with IU and community colleages and friends as we prepare to embark on a day of service,” according to the IU events calendar.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Pancake Breakfast — Banneker Community Center
The Banneker Community Center, located at 930 W. Seventh St., will host the community pancake breakfast from 9-11 a.m. Monday, which will honor MLK Jr. The event is free and open to all.
“This heartwarming event is more than a meal—it’s a chance to come together, celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, and share a morning of community and joy,” according to the Banneker Community Center Facebook.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration — Buskirk-Chumley Theater
At 6 p.m. the Buskirk-Chumley will host this year's celebration for MLK Day with the theme “A Necessary Renaissance in Social Justice: Telling the Stories to Ignite Change.”
There will be a keynote from Keith A. Beauchamp, an acclaimed investigative journalist, documentarian, activist and filmmaker. Beauchamp’s investigative reporting and documentary from 2005 were significant in the State of Mississippi’s decision to reopen the murder case of Emmet Till, according to Till Freedom Comes Production.
This event is free and open to the public.
The Birthday Celebration will also feature messages from local government and community leaders, the Legacy Award presentation and musical performances, according to Visit Bloomington.
Donate Food and Beverages for MLK Day of Service — My Sister’s Closet
My Sister’s Closet will host around 160 volunteers to honor the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Volunteer shifts are two hours long and include responsibilities such as setting up breakfast and organizing large batches of clothes. Event organizers will read MLK quotes at the top of every hour. For more information on volunteering, visit the My Sisters Closet website.
My Sister’s Closet website said these volunteers will help ensure the organization’s ability to provide essential tools and resources to low-income women looking for employment.
