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1. MLK Day Virtual Program

JOIN US for a virtual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dreamkreator Studio in collaboration with the City of Long Beach, Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro, and Leadership Long Beach proudly presents The Long Beach Virtual MLK Day Celebration & Service. Hosted by 102.3 KJLH & Fox Soul TV Media Personality Tammi Mac, with performances by Kenny Lattimore, Sy Smith, The Reel Band, and Brown Suede, With special appearances by civic and community leaders, including Mayor Robert Garcia, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, Philip June of Boeing, Darick J. Simpson of the Miller Foundation, Pastor Wayne Chaney of Antioch Church, Bishop Todd Ervin of One Church Ministries, Bishop Joe Ealy of Gospel Memorial, Dr. John Hamilton of Cal State Long Beach and many more. Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of a true Hero, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Watch a rebroadcast by clicking below!

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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2. “Courageous Conversations about… Bias” Forum

A virtual conversation forum for community members to raise awareness and understanding of unconscious racial bias. This project’s mission is to carry the torch of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on the day that pays homage to his life’s passion and work.

Applications are now closed. We look forward to hearing from our residents! We will share the results from this forum as soon as possible.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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3. Virtual Service Projects

The heart of the MLK Day of Service – community members coming together to serve Long Beach in projects across the city in honor of MLK Day. To be responsible and to align with the health and safety protocols of the city, this year’s projects are all virtual. Despite the challenges we face, we can still meet the call to action of the day and engage in meaningful service from our homes and in our own communities. 

“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service… You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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1. SILVER LETTERS CAMPAIGN

Thank you to our volunteers! Registration is now closed. A project to provide personal letters and pictures to Seniors isolated in local care facilities. 

If you would like to learn more about supporting Seniors in Long Beach or get involved in other Seniors supporting program, our partner Heart of Ida has several great programs needing community volunteers – such as Friendly Caller, Ida’s Walkers (pet walking), Operation Holiday Hearts and more! You can learn more about their programs and about the hazardous effects of isolation at: http://www.heartofida.org/friendly-caller/

The Need We Serve:

Many Seniors in local care facilities struggle with loneliness caused by isolation. Over the course of the pandemic, the isolation has been more extreme as many have been unable to see family or receive visitors during COVID.

How to Serve:

We have partnered with local Long Beach Senior Care facilities to connect community members to isolated Senior residents.

Community members had the opportunity to write a meaningful personal letter to a Senior. These letters will be collected and distributed to those in need. We also encourage kids to get involved – a picture from a child would be a great addition to a letter!

Registration is now closed. Thank you to our volunteers!

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2. GO BEAUTIFY LONG BEACH

Registration is now closed. Thank you to our volunteers! We facilitated a community project to educate and train residents on how to use the ‘Go Long Beach’ app, and then joined in effort to register beautification projects in our neighborhoods.

The Need We Serve:

Many community members are unaware of the City’s resources to address blight and prioritize beautification efforts. With the City of Long Beach’s ‘GO Long Beach’ app, residents can report graffiti and dumped items, request tree maintenance and sidewalk repair and more!

How to Serve:

We have partnered with local nonprofit The MAYE Center and the Office of Councilwoman Suely Saro to provide a training on the GO Long Beach app. The training will be provided in English, Spanish and Khmer.

Following a brief training, residents will be encouraged to walk their neighborhoods and report blight and make beautification requests. Residents will reconvene briefly after to share and discuss next steps.

Registration is now closed. Thank you to our volunteers!

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3. COMMUNITY CARES PACKAGES

Community members are invited to put together care packages that will be distributed to residents in need throughout the city.

The Need We Serve:

We are partnering with The Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion and the Long Beach Food Support Network to prepare community care packages that will distributed to residents through a network of food pantries across the city. The Long Beach Food Support Network is a collection of 9 food pantry partners and 3 neighborhood groups in Long Beach that have been working to meet the growing food insecurity needs of underserved communities in our city. As the need for free food has grown throughout the COVID pandemic, this network has collectively served more than 1,500 households every week since last April.

Fortunately, our local and regional food partners have responded to the crisis allowing Long Beach to bring additional food to our city to support this network. However, the needs of community members continue to grow and residents could benefit greatly from additional items besides food. We have talked with the food pantry partners and below are some items that are needed.

Full-size Hygiene Items (Placed together in large ZipLoc Bags)

• Toothpaste
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothbrushes

Household Items

• Kleenex
• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels

Kitchen Items – We would like to encourage healthy cooking and eating by providing the following foods that are not generally provided by food banks.

• Sugar
• Flour
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• Seasonings

How We Serve:

Please collect items in boxes or bags.  Please donate only new, sealed products – partially used products are a potential health hazard. Some of these items may be stored for several weeks before distribution.

Items should be dropped off at the Office of Councilmember Rex Richardson’s field at office at 6509 Gundry Ave. the week of the MLK Day of Service.

Register here to be connected to food distribution partners.