MLK Day of Service and Leadership
SAVE THE DATE!
MLK Day of Service and Leadership returns on January 18, 2027
- REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON! -
Dr. King recognized the power of service. He famously said, "Everyone can be great because everybody can serve." GW’s MLK Day of Service and Leadership is a day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a day of service, workshops, and reflection.
This day of service is a unique opportunity for hundreds of GW students, faculty, staff, alumni, and DC community members to strengthen their service values, create positive and impactful contributions to our communities, and commit to continuing acts of service as exemplified by Dr. King.
Schedule At-A-Glance
10:00 am - 10:45am: Check In
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Opening Program & Keynote
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm: Lunch & Travel to Site
12:45 pm – 3:45 pm: Service
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm: Reflection & Closing Out
WHAT TO BRING
- Long pants, closed-toe shoes, and other weather appropriate gear
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal items (e.g. medication, small bag)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
- Will lunch be provided?
Yes, lunch will be provided. It will be a boxed lunch with meat, vegan, and gluten-free options.
- What do I need to bring?
Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants that can get dirty. Bring a reusable water bottle and any personal items needed for a full-day event (e.g. weather appropriate gear, personal medication).
- Can I transport myself to the service project / can I leave early?
Transportation by bus will be provided for participants serving off-campus. We strongly encourage you to use the transportation provided for safety reasons and to stay the entire time to ensure the completion of the projects our community partners have asked us to complete.
If you need to transport yourself or leave early, we will ask that you sign a Self-Transportation Waiver. Please email mlkdos
gwu [dot] edu (mlkdos[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you need one in advance or on the day of the event you can ask your service site leader for a physical copy.- How do I know what service project or workshop group I’m in?
You will receive email communications leading up to the event from your service site group leader and the MLK DoS team. These communications will have your service site assignment.
Additionally, when you check in on the morning of the event, you will get a personalized nametag with your group assignment details on it.- Who do I talk to about special accommodations?
Email gwserves
gwu [dot] edu (gwserves[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you will need any accommodations to participate in this event.
2026 Recap
Monday’s event began with an opening program at Lisner Auditorium. University Chaplain, Kristen Glass Perez moderated an interfaith panel with Imam Dr. Talib Muttaqee Shareef, (Masjid Muhammed, The Nation’s Mosque), Fr. James Glasgow (GW Newman Center), Rev. Amitha Kema Thero (The Buddha Meditation Center of DC), Rabbi Daniel Novick (GW Hillel), and Rev. Canon Leonard Hamlin, Sr (The Washington National Cathedral).
Then, over 700 volunteers left campus and gave their time to various organizations throughout the city. Service participants contributed about 2,800 service hours in total on the day of service across 18 different projects!
Meet Brooke Moses, who was one of the site leaders for Life Pieces to Masterpieces at the George Washington University’s Annual MLK Day of Service and Leadership in 2026.
Past projects include...
Social justice and anti-racism workshops.
Cleaning, painting, and organizing classrooms.
Transcribing historical documents.
Packing safe sex and harm reduction kits.
Museum cleanup and outdoor beautification.
Questions?
Contact us at gwservesgwu [dot] edu
MLK Day of Service and Leadership is sponsored by the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement & Public Service, with support from the Multicultural Services Center and the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement.