Monday, January 17 at 4PM EST

The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race will host its 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observance on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 4:00 pm live on YouTube. The theme of this year’s observance is “Serving Something Greater Than Ourselves,” and is based on Dr. King’s call “to discover some cause and some purpose, some loyalty outside of yourself and give yourself to that something.” This interfaith observance will include performances, stories and ways to connect to volunteer opportunities.

Join us on YouTube live on Monday, January 17 at 4PM

The observance will be followed immediately by the lighting of luminaries throughout SOMA. Sponsored by the Community Coalition on Race each year since 2013, participants light up the outside of their homes or businesses with luminaries—white bags with votive candles inside that can be decorated with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision. The goal is for thousands of homes in SOMA to be lit up as a sign of hope, sanctuary, peace and solidarity with Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community.

The luminaries come four in a pack for a suggested donation of $10 in support of the mission of the Community Coalition on Race. This year, by popular request, there will be a special option of LED candles (suitable for indoor use), for a suggested donation of $15. Stop by these local businesses and pick up your luminaries today–fill out the MLK Luminary Project Order Form to order and pay in advance of pick up!