Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: A list of DuPage County events

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 20. Events, celebrations and services throughout DuPage County will pay tribute to the civil rights leader.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium “Strength to Love”: 10 a.m. to noon in Barrows Auditorium in Wheaton College’s Billy Graham Hall, Room 105, 500 College Ave. in Wheaton. Hear powerful student voices, experience moving worship presentations and be uplifted by the campus gospel choir while exploring the seven pillars that defined King’s transformative leadership. The event is free. For information, contact Hunter Benson at 630-997-2984 or Hunter.Benson@wheaton.edu.

Sunday, Jan. 19

MLK Day Celebration: 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave. in Downers Grove. United Methodists of the Northern Illinois Conference honor the memory of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with Rev. Danita R. Anderson, Northern Illinois Conference assistant to Bishop Dan Schwerin, speaking on “The Unfinished Agenda.” Schwerin, Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Episcopal Area bishop, will offer remarks. Several church choirs will perform. A free dinner will follow the program. Registration is requested at www.umcnic.org/calendar/nic-mlk-celebration-2025.

Monday, Jan. 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Ackerman Woods, 800 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn. Join the Glen Ellyn Park District in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in a day of service. Start your morning with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and then lend a helping hand to improve the quality of natural areas by cutting and removing invasive brush. Gloves and tools will be provided and volunteers younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit gepark.org/register.

MLK Day of Service: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Elmhurst Public Library’s Kossmann Room, 125 S. Prospect Ave. Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by building community through service projects. The library will have hands-on activities for all ages and ability levels focused around the theme of creating warmth. Service hours will be available for students. No registration is required for this drop-in program. Learn more at elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.

MLK National Day of Service Project Drop-In: Noon to 5 p.m. at the Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien. Make fleece tie blankets for Camden’s Comfort Project while supplies last. This event is free. For more information, go to ippl.info.

MLK Pizza & Potluck Event: 5 to 7 p.m. First United Methodist Church gym, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Join the church’s Mission, Justice & Community Work Area for pizza, side dishes, dessert, a song or two and conversation. Bring a side dish or dessert if possible. This event is free. Register at tinyurl.com/bdz7ctnk.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Faith and Action Forum: National Day of Racial Healing: 7 to 9 p.m. at Bethel New Life Church, 1771 S. Weisbrook Road, Wheaton. Panelists explore needs related to racial healing, possible action steps and how the faith community can be involved. Panelists include Byran Stewart, president of The Stewart Group and former Maywood village treasurer; Simeon Henderson, actor, producer and director; Jhovanny Jimenez, educator and recent new arrival from Venezuela; Kymberlie Mills, Ph.D. student in forensic psychology and advocate for marginalized individuals; Imelda Salazar, community organizer, Southwest Organizing Project; and Cortez Watson Jr., director of innovative initiatives and evaluation, The Black Star Project. Moderator will be Kenneth Phelps, president of Progressive Baptist State Convention of Illinois and pastor at Concord M.B. Church, Chicago. Co-sponsors are Progressive Baptist State Convention of Illinois, Concord Community Organization and The Black Star Project. This event is free. Register at bnlcwheaton.org.

Saturday, Jan. 25

MLK Unity Brunch: 10 a.m. at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook. Alliance for Civic Engagement hosts its annual celebration with speakers, performances, award presentations, recognition of community members, networking, and brunch. Participants include CNN correspondent Bakari Sellers (keynote speaker), Chicago Fox 32 News anchor Darlene Hill and Chicago WVON Radio host Atiba Buchanan (emcees) and a performance from the dance group Praize Productions. From 1 to 4 p.m., enjoy an After Brunch Social Event featuring a performance from hip-hop artist Chubb Rock, comedy by Ralphie Roberts and sounds provided by DJ Ray Jones, as well as appetizers, a cash bar and networking. Event proceeds will enable ACE to fund scholarships opportunities for students and to expand its mission of fostering community engagement and civic involvement through public forums, strategic planning sessions, voter registration and educational programs. Cost for brunch and After Brunch is $125. After Brunch only is $40; go to www.facebook.com/ACEBolingbrook.