
6 MLK Day Activities For Michigan Families Stuck In The Snow
Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Day!

⬇️ SEE BELOW: 1961: Martin Luther King Brings the Civil Rights Message to Sioux Falls ⬇️
MLK Day Event Cancelled
While today is Dr. Martin Luther King Day, most of the slated events for today have been canceled.
The 39th Annual Martin Luther King Commemoration was scheduled for January 20th, 2025. Unfortunately, it has been canceled.
The press release said the event was canceled "due to hazardous weather conditions and extreme temperatures."
The 39th Annual Martin Luther King Commemoration featuring keynote speaker LaTosha Brown, will be rescheduled for Black History Month (February), according to organizers from Davenport University, Grand Valley State University, and Grand Rapids Community College.
Alternative Ways To Honor Dr. MLK
Since many Michigan residents are likely experiencing snow today on Martin Luther King Day, there are still several meaningful activities they can do indoors to celebrate the holiday.
Here are some of my ideas to honor the Civil Rights icon:
1. Watch Documentaries or Movies About Martin Luther King Jr.
- "Selma" (2014): A film about the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches. You can watch on Paramount+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
- "King in the Wilderness" (2018): A documentary exploring Martin Luther King Jr.'s final years. You can watch on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, and more.
- "Eyes on the Prize": A documentary series that chronicles the Civil Rights Movement. You can watch on PBS, Max, Hulu, The Roku Channel, and Amazon Prime Video.
Personally, growing up, I would always watch "Our Friend Martin" every single year. It is the perfect thing to watch with the entire family.
2. Read Dr. King's Speeches and Writings
You can read selections from Dr. King’s "Letters from Birmingham Jail", "Why We Can't Wait", or his Nobel Peace Prize speech.
Many of the West Michigan libraries and online resources have free access to these writings and more from Dr. King.
3. Create Art Inspired by Dr. King's Legacy
Want to get the full family involved in celebrating? You can create art projects with family or friends by creating posters or collages that reflect Dr. King’s message of equality, justice, and peace.
4. Volunteer Virtually
Many organizations offer virtual volunteer opportunities. This could include writing letters to those in need, participating in digital drives, or assisting in online educational programs that promote diversity and inclusion.
⬇️ LOOK BELOW: 50 essential civil rights speeches ⬇️
5. Create a Virtual or In-Person Book Club
You can choose books by African American authors or books that focus on the Civil Rights Movement, such as:
- "The Autobiography of Malcolm X"
- "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois
- "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
6. Support Black-Owned Businesses
There are plenty of Black-owned businesses across Grand Rapids and West Michigan so this is the perfect day to support.
So, take time to support Black-owned businesses by shopping online or ordering from local Black-owned restaurants or stores. You can check out the Grand Rapids Area Black Business' directory for the full list of Black-owned businesses in Grand Rapids.
By combining reflection, learning, and action, Michigan residents can create a meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, even while indoors.
1961: Martin Luther King Brings the Civil Rights Message to Sioux Falls
Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns
LOOK: 50 essential civil rights speeches
Gallery Credit: Karen Johanson