Good morning + happy Friday, Chattanooga. 👋 Trista here — let’s talk about Martin Luther King Jr. and how you can celebrate his life on Monday, Jan. 20.

Fast facts

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the MLK Day of Service.
The day is observed each year on the third Monday of January because of the proximity to Dr. King's birthday, which is Jan. 15, 1929.
The first attempt to make MLK Day a national holiday in 1968 didn’t pass. It took 15 years (1983) for it to be recognized, and not every state celebrated until 2000.

Each year there’s a theme behind the day of service — in 2020 it’s “Be the Change.” "Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle." – MLK

“… this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’” | GIF via GIPHY

There are lots of ways to get involved, especially on Monday, but if you’ll be at work, you can do your part this weekend. Maybe that means picking up trash at your local park or offering to cook dinner for the busy family down the street, but there’s always something to do. Are you in? 💪

Fri. Jan. 17

God, Universe, Nature: The Dream to End Gun Violence | 6 p.m. | Eastdale Village Community United Methodist Church, 1403 Tunnel Blvd | Free | Participants will hear from survivors, perpetrators, families + the community on gun violence.

BlackGirlChatt’s 1st Annual: The Launch Party | 6-9 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave. | $10 | Everyone is invited to celebrate the network of local black women who “believe in community over competition.”

Sat. Jan. 18

Coffee Talk with Kreneshia Whiteside | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave. | $5 | Attendees can sip coffee and talk with Kren the Curator on the topic of diversity and working as a creative black woman.

Mon. Jan. 20

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast | 9-11 a.m. | Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. | Individual $30, Table $240 | The Psi Lambda Educational Foundation will host its 6th annual Memorial Scholarship breakfast to honor MLK, raise funds for college scholarships + discuss social justice.

Be the Change | 8 a.m. | UTC Maclellan Gym, 600 Douglas St. | Free, Register | Volunteers will kick off MLK day of service at Maclellan gym and be sent off to volunteer locations around the city.

28th annual Peace, Love and Unity service | 11 a.m. | CHI Memorial community rooms, entrance B, 2525 de Sales Avenue | Free | This program will feature Rev.Carlos D. Williams, senior pastor of Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church. Church members will provide the musical selections.