As we prepare to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day next Monday, we reflect on his enduring work towards justice and equality for all. Dr. King’s legacy of racial justice and his fight for civil rights resonates with EBHO’s mission and our vision for a racially and economically just East Bay where everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable home.
Dr. King’s legacy challenges us not just to dream but to act. At EBHO, we work to build communities where everyone can thrive, advocating for policies and initiatives that create lasting change. As we honor his memory, we invite you to join us in taking meaningful steps toward justice, whether through advocacy, volunteering, or participating in the many community events celebrating his life and mission.
Below, you’ll find a curated list of local gatherings, service opportunities, and educational materials honoring Dr. King.
The EBHO office will be closed on Monday, January 20th in observance of this holiday and Dr. King’s legacy.
Be well,
— Lindsay Haddix, Executive Director
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds. — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Letter from Birmingham, Alabama Jail, April 16th, 1963
Community Resources & Events
Listen and Learn About Dr. King’s Work and Legacy
The annual King Holiday Observance is a time that we celebrate, commemorate, and honor the life, legacy, and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The King Center leads the charge to provide education and training in their Nonviolence365 program, while serving as the vital living memorial of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
We encourage you to explore the materials provided by the King Center as well as other resources, including works by Dr. King. EBHO recommends reading or listening to Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, which was written in 1963 from his prison cell in Birmingham in response to local religious leaders’ criticisms of the Birmingham Campaign, a massive direct action campaign to attack the city’s segregation system.
Support Los Angeles Families and Communities Affected by the LA Fires
Our California neighbors in the Los Angeles area have been devastated by the most destructive wildfire event in the region’s history, with the combined fires claiming at least 24 lives and destroying over 12,300 homes, buildings, and landmarks according to CalFire. Among those affected are thousands of Black families and community members, who are historically hit the hardest by disasters and displacement.
If you are able to, please consider donating to mutual aid and relief efforts. KQED has compiled a list of organizations, community organizing efforts, and individual fundraisers. Additionally, the California Black Freedom Fund’s Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund was created in collaboration with the California Community Foundation to support community organizations on the ground working to meet the immediate and long-term needs of Black communities displaced by the wildfires.
MLK Day Event for Healing, Reflection and Justice
January 20th at 1 PM
First Presbyterian Church, 1965 Colfax Street, Concord
Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition welcomes all to an interfaith event for healing, reflection, and justice to recognize the continuing importance of the message of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This will be a shared moment of grounding ourselves for the work of mercy and justice in 2025. The program will include a full reading of his Letter from Birmingham Jail. EBHO’s Rev. Sophia DeWitt will be participating in the community reading of the Letter. Opportunities will be provided to connect with other community organizations seeking support and volunteers.

11th Annual March to Reclaim MLK’s Radical Legacy
Anti Police-Terror Project
January 20th at 11 AM
Oscar Grant Plaza, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland
Inauguration Day falls on MLK Day. Get ready to start the new year building towards liberation together with the Annual March and Week of Action to Reclaim MLK’s Radical Legacy!
For over a decade the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) has called a mass march on MLK Day to Reclaim the true revolutionary spirit of Dr. King. Towards the end of King’s short life he had moved towards a politic rooted in Black liberation and freedom—and he vociferously rejected war, capitalism, and white supremacy. Join APTP in the streets of Oakland on January 20th to Reclaim King’s Radical Legacy.
MLK Day of Service
City of Oakland
January 20th
Oakland
MLK Day, the only federal holiday observed as a National Day of Service, is a “day on, not a day off.” Join Oakland community members on Monday, January 20th, for a day of action by volunteering on projects focused on sustainability and environmental protection. Whether it’s planting trees, picking up litter, or beautifying your neighborhood, your efforts will leave a lasting impact on Oakland, inspiring others to care for our planet and city. Help build a stronger, healthier Oakland for generations to come.