How to Observe MLK Day at Work (8 Ways)

MLK Day is an important holiday for small business owners. Some use it to give back to their communities, while others see it as an opportunity to market their products.

How you celebrate MLK Day depends on your industry and the size of your business. For example, training and seminars may be best for working with a team. However, donating to charity or partnering with other businesses might make more sense if you work alone.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of ways to celebrate MLK Day at work. Choose the best options for you, and read on to learn how to honor this day at your small business.

How to Observe MLK Day at Work

Here are eight ways to celebrate MLK Day at work. These ideas help you give back to your community, learn about the Civil Rights Movement, and start new marketing campaigns for your business.

1. Learn about diversity and inclusion.

The first thing we should do for MLK Day is research. You should know why we celebrate this holiday and what Dr. King did to advance the Civil Rights Movement. Here are a few resources that can help you learn about this history:

• The King Center
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• NPR – What to Know About Martin Luther King Jr. Day

You should also research how the Civil Rights Movement has evolved since then – particularly in the workplace. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are critical to business success, so it’s worth learning about what you can do to promote fair practices on your team.

Here are a few places where you can learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion:

• Association of American Medical Colleges
• U.S. Department of Labor
• DEI Checklist – Berkeley Haas

2. Perform community service.

Did you know that MLK Day is the only federal holiday dedicated to community service?

The purpose of this day is to give back to others – especially those who have been underrepresented or undervalued in their communities. If you have the chance, put aside some time to volunteer for a few hours this year. You could help at a local homeless shelter or volunteer at a senior center. The goal is to create positive change by volunteering and helping others.

If you’re unsure how to get involved, the easiest thing you can do is Google “MLK Day of Service near me.” Your town website will likely have a page dedicated to MLK Day, like this one:

3. Host a training or seminar.

If you work with a team, MLK Day is a great opportunity to host diversity and inclusion training. While DEI should be prioritized throughout the year, now is also a good time to check in and see how people are feeling at your business.

This training doesn’t have to be complicated. Put aside an hour and sit down with your team – coffee and doughnuts would be a great addition, too. Then, discuss one of the following topics, or leave the floor open for someone to present their own ideas:

• Racism: Do people feel included based on race?
• Religion: Do people feel included based on their religion?
• LGBTQ Inclusion: How does your business manage LGBTQ topics?
• Generational Inclusion: Do people of all ages feel included?
• Intersectionality: Do social and political identities cause inequity?

These are just a few topics. The point is to create a safe environment where people feel comfortable discussing these issues. That will lead to honest but productive conversations that ultimately improve your business.

4. Donate to charity.

If you can’t volunteer, you can also donate to charity on MLK Day. Many organizations support Dr. King’s mission, and donating on their websites is easy. Here are a few charities to consider:

• The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change: This foundation was created by Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s wife. Its mission is to promote positive change through nonviolent movements.
• National Civil Rights Museum: The National Civil Rights Museum is located in Tennessee, at the hotel where Dr. King was assassinated. This museum not only honors his memory but also hosts training and events that promote diversity and inclusion.
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): The NAACP is “the home of grassroots activism for civil rights and social justice.” It’s helped underrepresented groups for more than 100 years.

5. Partner with other businesses.

B2B brands should consider partnering with other businesses on MLK Day, but not to make sales. Rather, the purpose should be to foster relationships with new people in their community.

Here’s an example: The Red Sox have a longstanding partnership with The Jimmy Fund. This relationship is good for the Red Sox because it grows brand awareness and helps them gain new fans. It’s also great for the Jimmy Fund because it receives donations and gets a ton of publicity by advertising at Red Sox games.

Source

6. Attend an after-work event.

While MLK Day is a federal holiday, that doesn’t mean small business owners have the day off. Many still work and can’t volunteer for community service or host a networking event.

That doesn’t mean these businesses can’t celebrate MLK Day. One option is to attend or host events after working hours. That way, you can complete your workday and meet with coworkers for a post-work event. That could be a training session or a charity drive that honors a local organization.

Here’s a good example of an event in Boston. It’s free and takes place at 7 pm when most people are done working.

7. Share updates on your website.

Whether you donate to charity, volunteer for community service, or do something completely different, post about it on your website or blog. That’s a great place to share updates with your customers and lead by example by participating in good causes. In fact, 60% of customers want to support brands that have a stance on social issues like racial discrimination, social justice, income equality, etc.

Here’s the catch — you can’t fake it. You have to truly support these issues, or else customers will call your bluff, which leads to negative publicity for your business. Doing one day of good work isn’t enough to join a social movement. You have to show ongoing support to earn your customers’ respect.

The good news is that gives you plenty of opportunity to share updates like these with your customers:

8. Post your support on social media.

If you want to connect with customers on MLK Day, consider posting your support on social media channels like Facebook and Instagram. These sites are perfect for communicating mass messages and generating engagement from your target audience.

Here’s an example from a pawn shop that posted its support on Instagram:

Observing MLK Day at Your Small Business

Small businesses take different approaches to MLK Day. Some use it to improve their brand reputation, while others take advantage of timely marketing opportunities. Use this list to find the best ways to celebrate MLK Day at your workplace and to honor Dr. King at your small business.