MLK Day of Service and Leadership

MLK Day of Service and Leadership is on
January 19, 2026!

Register as an Individual or as a Group!

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

Would you like to serve as a student leader for the MLK Day of Service and Leadership?

Apply to be a Site Leader!

2025 Recap

Looking back at the GW Students and Community members celebrating 30th GW MLK Day of Service and Leadership 2025 through service.

Saturday’s event began with an opening program at Lisner Auditorium. Outgoing AmeriCorps CEO, Michael Smith moderated a student panel with Nashman Center students where Haleigh Chan, Brooke Moses, Bongani Ndebele, Lauren Patrick, and Zoe Singleton, who shared their inspirations, connection with Dr. King's vision, and stories of service.

GW Students and Community Members Serving

Then, around 550 GW volunteers left campus and gave their time to various organizations throughout the city. Service participants contributed about 1,200 service hours in total on the day of service.

Participants served at five off-campus sites with projects including at Francis on the Hill in Northwest Washington. Volunteers also worked in groups at the University Student Center on projects for GW Jumpstart, Miriam’s Kitchen, A Wider Circle, the Sasha Bruce Network, the D.C. Prevention Center and the AARP Foundation, where President Ellen M. Granberg also served. Other volunteers from GW were welcomed to Horton’s Hub and Community Resource Center, an after-school tutoring program in Southeast Washington.

Read the Full Story Here

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Transcribing historical documents.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.

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 mlkdosgwu [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 gwservesgwu [dot] edu (gwserves[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you will need any accommodations to participate in this event.

Questions?

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.