In 2025, MLK Day will be on Monday, Jan. 20. Local cities are holding their own events to celebrate the civil rights leader. Newark held theirs early, on Jan. 12, with a program by the Afro American Cultural and Historical Society of the Tri-City Area at Newark First Presbyterian Church. But the celebration continues as each city and organization celebrate through arts and gatherings. Local parks will celebrate Jan. 20 with a day of service where locals volunteer to clean up shared wilderness.
San Leandro
Each year, San Leandro celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a student oratorical festival and poetry slam with participants from 3rd to 12th grades in the San Leandro Unified School District. The celebration also includes live entertainment, crafts for kids and refreshments.
Oratorical Festival and Poetry Slam
Saturday, Jan. 18
10:30am – 12pm
15301 Wicks Blvd., San Leandro
Hayward
Civil rights activist and NAACP leader Rev. Amos C. Brown will deliver the keynote address at Hayward’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration. Born in 1941, Brown came of age during the Civil Rights Movement and was even arrested alongside Dr. King at an Atlanta lunch counter sit-in in 1960. Brown has served as pastor of San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church since 1976. In addition, Chabot College Choir, Hayward High School Jazz Band and Hayward Unified School District student choirs will give performances. The late Palma Ceia Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Tommy E. Smith Jr. will also be recognized with a community award.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday event
Monday, Jan. 20
4:30pm
Hayward Unified School District Performing Arts Center
2390 Panama St., Hayward
Don Castro Regional Recreation Area
Locals ages 10 and up can earn community service hours by picking up litter at Don Castro recreation area in Hayward. Meet at the check-in table near the parking lot at 9am. Wear work clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring water and snacks. Trash pickup gear, tools and loaner gloves will be provided. For more information, contact Jennifer Trevis at je*************@ac***.com. Volunteers under age 14 should attend with a guardian.
MLK Day of Service
Monday, Jan. 20
9am -12pm
Don Castro Regional Recreation Area
22400 Woodroe Ave., Hayward
Search event on eventbrite.com
East Bay Regional Park District
Fittingly, the park district will hold a day of service at MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline. Volunteer activities include gardening and maintenance at MLK Memorial Grove and shoreline cleanup at the Oakport Staging Area, and cleanup at the Tidewater Boating Center. (Registration is required for MLK Memorial Grove; the other two locations accept walkups.)
MLK Day of Service
Monday, Jan. 20
9am – 12pm
MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline
1 Swan Way, Oakland
www.ebparks.org/MLK-day-service
