“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For almost two decades, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) has honored Dr. King’s legacy of love and leadership with the MLK Day of Service. The annual event is designed to turn a day off into a day on for the community through volunteer projects, such as helping schools, feeding those in need, pitching in on neighborhood revitalization and clean-up and socializing with seniors.
Joining in the 2021 MLK Day of Service is the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society. Founded in 2019, the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society aims to bring together changemakers working to positively impact the African American community through a shared affinity for philanthropy, leadership, volunteerism and advocacy. The group is named in honor of J. Mason Davis, Jr., whose dedication to the defense of civil rights has defined his lengthy career as an attorney. The Birmingham native has been involved with UWCA since childhood (now more than seven decades) and served as the organization’s first African American Chairman of the Board.
Members of the JMDLS will participate in the Edgewater Neighborhood B Community Clean-Up and the Bush Hills Community Garden Clean-Up, although both events are also open to non-members. All participants are required to wear masks and follow social distancing protocols.
You can browse more MLK Day of Service opportunities on INVOLVE, UWCA’s online volunteer platform, and find the perfect way to honor Dr. King’s legacy and make a positive difference in our community. To learn more about the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society, click here; or email jmdleadershipsociety@uwca.org.