Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Serve the Community. Honor the Legacy.

44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration

This year's program can be read here.

Serve the Community: MLK Day of Service

The Johns Hopkins MLK Day of Service is an annual opportunity for faculty, staff, and learners to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through acts of community service. From January 20 to 31, members of the Hopkins community partner with local organizations to support meaningful, hands-on volunteer projects throughout Baltimore.

Volunteers can sign up to serve with one of our trusted community partners across Baltimore. Whether you're sorting meals, mentoring students, or lending a hand at a local nonprofit, your time and energy can make a lasting impact.

MLK Day of Service 2026 Volunteer Opportunities

Embrace the Spirit of MLK Day of Service 2026!

From January 20-30, Johns Hopkins employees can seize the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community. If you are eager to contribute your time and talent, you are invited to sign up and volunteer with one of our community partners listed below. Join us in creating positive change and fostering a sense of unity. Sign up using the links below to be part of this inspiring initiative!

Bea Gaddy Family Centers

Click here to register: https://beagaddy.org/?page_id=43 scroll down to the section that says “Johns Hopkins employees only”
Tasks: Cleaning, organizing canned goods, sorting, and arranging cookware and serving items.
Location/Contact: 425 N. Chester Street Baltimore, MD 21231 | Ms. Cynthia Brooks [email protected], Phone: 410.563.2749
Number of people needed: 5
Dates: January 20, 21, 22 & 23
Time: 9:00am - 1:00 p.m.

Maryland Book Bank

Click here to register: https://x.gldn.io/KJ45GHwknYb/
Tasks: Most task require standing, sorting, and archiving donated books
Location: 1794 Union Ave Baltimore, MD 21211 - Look for the big blue building labeled Warehouse Collective. Walk up the rainbow steps and a staff member will greet your group.
Date & Time: Thursday, January 22^nd | 12-2:30pm
Attire: Please wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. The warehouse is not temperature-controlled (no heat or AC). Wear comfortable shoes:
Day-of contact: Grace Jecelin [email protected] / 443-846-8787

Moveable Feast

Registration Info: Create an account using this link at VolunteerHub: mfeast.org/become-a-volunteer/. Those that have volunteered in the past can use the account previously made. Once registered for a shift, reach out to Gray ([email protected]) stating that you are affiliated with Johns Hopkins University & Medicine's MLK Day 2026.
Contact: Gray Hargrove [email protected] Phone: 410-441-5934, Address: 901 N Milton Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205
Number of Volunteers Needed: 10 individual volunteers in the morning and 8 individual volunteers in the afternoon. Minimum for groups of volunteers is 4 with a maximum of 10-12 per group.
Tasks: Washing, chopping, and seasoning produce; prepping and seasoning proteins, bagging produce, packing, wrapping and labeling meal trays, sorting meals by diet, lunch/dinner delivery, wiping tables, cleaning dishes, sweeping, and mopping.
Dates: January 19 - January 23; January 26 - January 30 (shift spots are available on a first come, first serve basis)
Time: The morning shift is from 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (can accommodate 10 individual volunteers) and the afternoon shift is from 12:15 pm - 2:15 pm (can accommodate 8 individual volunteers).

Helping Up Mission

Registration Info: Contact: Brian Murphy [email protected], Phone: 410-675-7500 ext. 1170, Address: 1029 E. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21202
Number of Volunteers Needed: 7
Tasks: Serving meals, collecting trays, cleaning tables, maintaining dining area and greeting residents with kindness
Dates/Time: Monday January 26^th | 11pm to 12:30pm
Attire: Casual and Warm

The Franciscan Center

Register here https://fcbmore.givepulse.com/event/718415-january-2026-lunch-service join the Franciscan Center, Inc., create an account and register for lunch, dinner opportunities
Contact: Rev. Angela Hall [email protected], Phone: 410.467.5340 X113, Address: 101 W. 23rd St. Baltimore, MD 21218
Number of Volunteers Needed: 20
Tasks: Help serve guests healthy hot meals. We serve as many as 300 meals per day. Volunteers will be interacting with guests, staff, and other volunteers indoors.
Dates/Times: days are listed under the title - the person must register to see the volunteer events listed.
Anyone interested must register using the link above. Membership has to be approved before opportunities are unlocked.

Explore the opportunities below and register to get involved.

Together, we can live out Dr. King's call to service.

Honor the Legacy: The MLK Award for Community Service

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Community Service recognizes outstanding commitment to volunteer service by members of the Johns Hopkins community.

Eligibility

Rev. MLK Award

Explore the opportunities below and register to get involved.

Together, we can live out Dr. King's call to service.

All faculty, staff, and graduate students of the university and health system, as well as persons regularly assigned to work at Hopkins through affiliated organizations, are eligible to receive the award. Members of the Martin Luther King Jr. nomination review panels, executive committee, and celebration committee are not eligible.

Nomination Process

Nominations for the 2025 recipients are now closed. Check back in the fall of 2026 for more information.

2024 Recipients:

• Adegboyega Abdulkadir, clinical associate, Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
• Sheila Castle, clinical supervisor, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
• Sophia Corrigan, physician assistant, general internal medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Elhadji Gueye, student intern, care coordination
• Tyson McDuffy, inventory planner, Johns Hopkins Health System
• Cynthia Major Lewis, director of adult psychiatric emergency services, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Oluwabunmi Ogungbe, assistant professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
• Pratya Poosala, graduate student, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• John Sampson, associate professor, anesthesiology and critical care medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

2023 Recipients:

• Maxwell Duah, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
• Marcelina Kubica, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Sanjay Kubsad, Trainee, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Shelly LaPrince, Director of Healthcare Economics, Johns Hopkins Health Plans
• Nicole Pannullo, Doctoral Student, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Jannette Pennywell, Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
• Gina Wadas, Communications Associate, Johns Hopkins University
• Albert Wu, Professor, Bloomberg School of Public Health
• James Peng, Intern, Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Student, Glenelg High School

2022 Recipients:

• Nicole Dawson-Matthews, Medical Assistant, Johns Hopkins Medicine Cardiology at Sibley
• Latoya Frazier, Compliance Coordinator, Intrastaff, Johns Hopkins Health System
• Elena MacFarlane, Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Alicia Wilson, Vice President for Economic Development, Johns Hopkins University and Health System
• Lisa Young, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

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Partner Organization Name

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Address: [Street Address, City, State, Zip]

Number of Volunteers Needed: [Insert number]

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Insert any additional information or instructions for registration. Delete if unnecessary.

Partner Organization Name

Contact Information:

[Full Name]
[Email Address]
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Address: [Street Address, City, State, Zip]

Number of Volunteers Needed: [Insert number]

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Insert any additional information or instructions for registration. Delete if unnecessary.

Partner Organization Name

Contact Information:

[Full Name]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]

Address: [Street Address, City, State, Zip]

Number of Volunteers Needed: [Insert number]

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Insert any additional information or instructions for registration. Delete if unnecessary.

Partner Organization Name

Contact Information:

[Full Name]
[Email Address]
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Address: [Street Address, City, State, Zip]

Number of Volunteers Needed: [Insert number]

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