MLK Day: Bronx kindness drive, Robinson museum, Harlem tribute
NEW YORK - On Monday, we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring legacy of social justice and service while highlighting his remarkable friendship with baseball icon Jackie Robinson.
Across the city, events are honoring Dr. King's impact and inspiring action.
Local perspective:
54 Miles to Impact in the Bronx
In the Bronx, the Riverdale Y’s annual MLK Day of Service event, "54 Miles to Impact – 54 Acts of Kindness," drew inspiration from the historic 54-mile Selma-to-Montgomery march for racial justice in 1965. Community members are coming together to honor Dr. King by preparing 20,000 meals, packing hygiene kits, and raising $54,000 to support those in need.
Melissa Sigmond, CEO of the Riverdale Y, emphasized the importance of community involvement: "Volunteers are essential to the fabric of the work that we do to keep the message alive that giving back to your community, sharing, and supporting others aligns with our values that we are a place for everyone."
The prepared meals will be distributed across the country through partnerships with the UJA Federation of New York and Repair the World. Additionally, hygiene kits will benefit local teens in need. Last year’s event even saw participation from Congressman Ritchie Torres.
"We honor the legacy of Dr. King not just on Monday but all year long," Sigmond says.
The backstory:
Jackie Robinson Museum: A Friendship That Shaped History
At the Jackie Robinson Museum, history is celebrated year-round through guided tours and artifacts that explore the civil rights alliance between Robinson and Dr. King. Samantha Gibson, the museum’s education director, sheds light on their enduring friendship, which began at Howard University during an honorary degree ceremony in 1957.
"They called upon each other for campaigns, for fundraising, and Robinson really showed up and was a part of some key campaigns during the civil rights movement that Dr. King was leading," says Gibson.
One defining moment in their partnership occurred in 1962, when Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), led by Dr. King, hosted a testimonial dinner in Robinson’s honor. Proceeds from the event supported voting rights efforts. Leading up to the event, Dr. King described Robinson as a "sit-in before the sit-ins" and a "freedom rider before the freedom rides." The award presented to Robinson that evening is on display at the museum.
Visitors can also explore the significance of music to the civil rights movement and how it bolstered the morale and unity of activists.
What you can do:
Special Tribute: "When Harlem Saved a King"
In addition to these events, the city is hosting a free screening of the powerful documentary "When Harlem Saved a King." The film chronicles Dr. King’s near-fatal stabbing by a mentally ill woman during a 1958 visit to Harlem and the community’s efforts to save him.
Tickets are limited and can be reserved by emailing info@tciony.org.
Today’s tributes serve as reminders of Dr. King’s profound influence and the importance of continuing his work toward equality and justice for all.