MLK Day of Service
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service is a federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” Stevens community members hear from various speakers discussing the importance of service, volunteer at local organizations, and reflect on Dr. King's legacy. MLK Day of Service is the largest event at Stevens dedicated to community service.
The 3rd Annual MLK Day of Service at Stevens will take place on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024. All students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to RSVP by January 8. This day-long event kicks-off with a community breakfast featuring internationally recognized young civil rights activist and movement strategist Tylik McMillan along with student performances, followed by an afternoon of impactful service activities. All volunteers are then invited to a celebratory closing reception featuring Assemblywoman Linda Carter M.S. '00, 22nd Legislative District and Stevens alumna.
Schedule of Events
Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. | Check-in and service activity sign-up | Schaefer Athletic & Recreation Center Lobby |
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Community breakfast with keynote speaker, student performances, and oratorical contest winners ceremony | Canavan Arena, Schaefer Athletic & Recreation Center |
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Service activities | Various locations on campus and in Hoboken |
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Closing reception with keynote speaker and student performances | Gallery Room, University Center |
This event is open to all members of the Stevens community and invited honored guests.
Registration Required - Please check back for the registration form in December.
Contact [email protected] with questions.
This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Student Culture and Belonging, Division of Student Affairs, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Office of the President, and with support for other campus departments and alumni.
Featured Speakers
We are proud to announce the following keynote speakers will join our 2024 MLK Day of Service.
Tylik McMillan
Internationally recognized young civil rights activist and movement strategist Tylik McMillan wishes to inspire other young people to get involved and make civic engagement the new norm, not the exception. Tylik works to educate lawmakers and stakeholders from the White House to corporate c-suites on the challenges and opportunities facing communities, by advocating for more resources and policies that help invest and advance economic and social equality.
Tylik helped organize the 2020 Commitment March on Washington and 2021 March On for Voting Rights which drew over hundreds of thousands to Washington DC and called for racial justice, police reform, voting rights protections, census participation and more. Recognized by Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House as a prominent young voice to help lead our nation forward, Tylik has also been recognized as a United States Black Chamber of Commerce 50 Under 40, Bloomberg 50 One to Watch, National Urban League Young Professional National Trailblazer, and been featured by Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, BBC, and BET among other global, national, and local outlets.
A native of Lawrenceville, Virginia, Tylik is a proud HBCU graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
Linda Carter M.S. '00
Linda Carter, affectionately known as “New Jersey’s Wonder Woman” has spent her entire career fighting for the underprivileged and middle-class communities. She has served locally for nearly two decades, as a member of the Plainfield City Council and as a member of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders – earning a reputation as a bold progressive, and pragmatic trailblazer willing to take on a wide array of challenges that affect her communities.
On May 24, 2018, Linda Carter, a lifelong resident of the City of Plainfield, was appointed to serve as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 22nd Legislative District, comprised of Union, Middlesex & Somerset Counties to fill the vacancy caused by the late Assemblyman Gerald B. Green. Shortly thereafter, Assemblywoman Linda Carter was elected at a special election held on November 6, 2018, to fill the unexpired term. She currently serves on the Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee, the Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, the Law & Public Safety Committee and was recently selected to serve on the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus 2020 Census Reapportion Policy Committee.
The youngest of her siblings, she graduated from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Assemblywoman Carter also holds a Master of Science degree in Management, Information Management from Stevens Institute of Technology.
Service Activities
The service activities for 2024 are forthcoming. Follow this link to see last year's service opportunities with local non-profit organizations.
2024 MLK Oratorical Contest
The 2nd Annual MLK Oratorical Contest at Stevens Institute of Technology is accepting online submissions from December 4, 2023, through January 4, 2024. The purpose of the contest is to encourage oratorical skills among students and celebrate the legacy of renown orator, Civil Rights leader, and change agent, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In addition to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at Stevens Institute of Technology, we are excited to invite all New Jersey middle and high school students to join the contest this year! One winner will be selected from each of the four educational categories (Middle School: Grade 6-8; High School: Grades 9-12; Stevens Undergraduate Students; Stevens Graduate Students). All four winners will be invited to perform at the Annual MLK Day of Service community event at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
Instructions:
Record a 3-5 minute video with your delivery of one of the following options:
One of Dr. King's speeches or known writings
An original speech, song, or poem on the topic of Dr. King's legacy
Upload your recording along with information about yourself to the Oratorical Contest submission form (click here) by January 4, 2024, at 11:59PM.
Process:
After reviewing all submissions, a panel of judges will select the four oratorical contest winners on January 9. All winners, including up to 5 friends and/or family members, will be invited to attend the in-person MLK Day of Service celebration at Stevens Institute of Technology on Tuesday, January 16. Each winner will deliver their winning submission in-person and receive their award at the event.
Photos from the 2023 MLK Day of Service
