This Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday intended to honor the life and work of Martin Luther King Junior.
It's a time in which we're asked to reflect on the legacy of King and the ideals and values he embodied throughout the course of his life through his words, actions and legacy. And it's an excellent opportunity to build racial and social justice in all of our our communities through service.
In that spirit, Equality NC is collaborating with several community organizations for MLK Day. Here are some upcoming events and opportunities to support social justice in our communities:
Asheville Prison Books is a volunteer-run collective which has distributed free literature to people incarcerated in the southeast since 1999. They currently distribute books to North and South Carolina incarcerated folks from their library of mostly donated books. APB believes that providing books is a way to reach through the bars and show solidarity with the people trapped behind them. As a project rooted in anti-authoritarian politics, APB rejects the traditional framing of prison as the solution for crime or as a vehicle for rehabilitation; instead, it understands prison as an institution on the front lines of upholding an unjust social and economic order based in large part on white supremacy. Finding ways to connect with, humanize and meet the everyday needs of incarcerated people is a crucial part of building collective power to challenge the legitimacy of this repressive institution.
Equality NC will be partnering with Youth OUTRight and Asheville Prison Books for a book packing party on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 1 pm - 3 pm at Different WRLD in West Asheville. If you are interested in participating please sign up here.
You can also support APB by making a financial donation to help them reach their goals.
The LGBTQ Center of Durham is committed to serving the City and County of Durham as well as the surrounding counties to ensure all folks have the resources necessary to live full, joyful lives. They provide space and resources to all people. Equality NC is supporting the LGBTQ Center of Durham Youth Center for MLK Day of Service. We hope you all support the LGBTQ Center of Durham Youth Center by purchasing items on their wishlist. See link below to look at what they need to continue to support queer and trans youth in Durham.
LGBTQ Center of Durham Youth Center Wishlist
Make sure to check the box that notes your purchase is a gift when you check out and to tag Equality NC in your gift message.
The mission of the Raleigh United Mutual Aid Hub is to serve as a point of connection between the residents, communities, and mutual aid projects in and around Raleigh, NC. We strive to develop accessible spaces for people of all backgrounds and affinities to come together, build solidarity, share resources and skills, host events and workshops, and unify in action behind our shared ideals.
Support RUMAH by making a financial donation to help them reach their goal of opening a stable physical space.
RUMAH is also seeking specific supplies as well. See list of supplies and drop off locations below.
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Drop Sites:
Regardless of how you plug in to support our communities, we encourage you to work for racial justice, economic fairness, and equality for all, on MLK Day and all year round.
