Kent State will host several events and volunteer opportunities between Jan. 20 and 29 to commemorate the life and legacy of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Members of the Kent community will be able to participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities at multiple locations across campus between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, as part of the MLK Day of Service. Some volunteer opportunities include:

• Creating literacy kits for the United Way of Portage County

• Preparing free, healthy meals for those struggling with food insecurity

• Painting rooms in a Hattie Larlham home

• Making tote bags out of T-shirts to be used at local pantries to hold groceries

• Creating fleece blankets for those experiencing homelessness

• Using textile items to create new merchandise that will be sold at the Haymaker Farmers’ Market. Proceeds will support food insecure residents of Portage County 

• Sorting and pricing donated items at the ReStore to be sold at discount prices. Proceeds are used to build and rehabilitate houses in Portage County. 

Kent State will also host on Jan. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center the Race, Rights and Belonging Symposium, a collaborative conversation on learning and race at the university. 

Following the symposium, Melissa Harris-Perry, a television host, author, political commentator and the Maya Angelou presidential chair at Wake Forest University, will speak at 4 p.m. in the Kent Student Center ballroom. 

More information about these opportunities and events are on Kent State’s website.

Contact Michael Reed at [email protected].