MLK Day Event In SOMA: ‘Upholding King’s Legacy In Challenging Times’

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — An annual event in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day will return to the Maplewood-South Orange area for 2025.

The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race will hold an “observance, volunteer fair and luminary lighting” event at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20 at Columbia High School, 17 Parker Avenue in Maplewood.

This year’s theme is “Upholding Dr. King’s Legacy in Challenging Times.” See additional details here.

According to organizers, here’s what to expect:

SPEAKERS – “This powerful program features keynote speakers Dr. Saladin Ambar, senior scholar at the Eagleton Center on the American Governor and Rutgers University political science professor, and Ibi Zoboi, a SOMA resident and New York Times bestselling author of ‘Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America.’”

VOLUNTEER – “After the observance, attendees are invited to a reception and Volunteer Fair in the school’s cafeteria where they will have an opportunity to learn about local organizations and sign up to give back to the community, honoring Dr. King’s legacy of service. Local organizations can register to host a table here.”

LUMINARIES – “The Luminary Project asks people to take a moment to reflect on Dr. King's legacy and call to service. Each year since 2013, over 2000 luminaries have been lit throughout SOMA neighborhoods, at Seton Hall University, all around the Meadowland Park Pond, and in front of buildings and businesses. Order your luminary kits here.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.