YWCA GREATER CHARLESTON
  • WHO WE ARE
    • SEE OUR MISSION
    • SEE OUR HISTORY
    • MEET OUR STAFF
    • MEET OUR BOARD
  • OUR PROGRAMS
    • | ELIMINATING RACISM |
    • MLK CELEBRATION
    • RACIAL EQUITY INSTITUTE
    • STAND AGAINST RACISM
    • | EMPOWERING WOMEN
    • WHAT WOMEN BRING
    • CAREER SUCCESS SERIES
    • CHOOSE WELL
    • | EMPOWERING GIRLS |
    • Y GIRLS CODE
    • SHESTRONG
  • OUR PARTNERSHIPS
    • SEE OUR PARTNERS
  • OUR NEWS
    • SEE US IN THE NEWS
    • VIEW OUR E.NEWSLETTERS
    • BE IN THE KNOW: SUBSCRIBE HERE
  • SUPPORT OUR MISSION
    • BECOME A MEMBER
    • RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
    • VOLUNTEER WITH US
    • INVEST IN WOMEN & PEOPLE OF COLOR
    • INVEST IN YWCA USA
  • DONATE
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WE'RE ELIMINATING RACISM
with our annual MLK Celebration

Our inaugural MLK Celebration was one of the first national tributes of its kind. First held on January 15, 1972, this regional event has grown to traditionally encompass 10 days each January and is the largest MLK celebration in South Carolina. This year, because of COVID-19, the event will be largely virtual.
SEE THE 2021 PROGRAM BOOKLET


​2021 MLK Celebration
 schedule

  • MLK Blood Drive | 11-5 PM Thursday, January 14 | By appointment at the Red Cross, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard (please note change of location) | Thank you for signing up!
  • MLK Ecumenical Service | 4 PM Sunday, January 17 | Virtual | See 2020 photos | Miss it? See the 2021 service!
  • MLK Parade | 12 PM Monday, January 18 | See the 2020 photos | Miss it? See the 2021 parade!
  • MLK Youth Poetry Slam | 12 PM Monday, January 18 | See the 2020 photos | Miss it? See the poems performed during the parade show!
  • MLK Summit (Breakfast) | 7:30 AM Tuesday, January 19 | Virtual | See the 2020 photos | Miss it? Catch our replay at noon on Jan 19!

2021 MLK Celebration in the news

We appreciate the local media and others for covering the 2021 MLK Celebration! Below is a selection:

  • #MUSTDO: MLK Summit, Virtual via YWCA, Keynote speakers include Anita Zucker + Mayor Tecklenburg
    | CHStoday, 01.19.21 

  • The 2021 MLK Day Parade & poems from the 2021 MLK Poetry Slam (televised live)
    | NBC WCBD News 2 Midday News, 01.18.21

  • Charleston YWCA to host virtual Martin Luther King Day event
    | CBS WCSC Live 5 News in the Morning, 01.18.21

  • MLK Day events across the Lowcountry
    | NBC WCBD News 2 Morning News, 01.18.21

  • #MUSTDO: MLK Day Parade, virtual via WCBD News 2
    | CHStoday, 01.18.21

  • YWCA Greater Charleston honors social justice organizer and founder of mentoring program during MLK Celebration
    | LowcountryBizSC, 01.17.21

  • Editorial: MLK Day is as important as ever as we seek to keep hope alive
    | Post and Courier, 01.17.21

  • YWCA.GC to honor social justice organizer and founder of mentoring program during MLK Celebration
    | Holy City Sinner, 01.16.21

  • 2021 MLK Celebrations 
    | WCSC Live 5 News' Bounce Around Charleston, 01.15.21

  • In the Know with Johnny O: MLK Celebration Events
    | ABC WCIV Lowcountry Live, 01.15.21
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  • Lowcountry gears up for one of the most important MLK Celebrations yet; a message of peace and justice
    | Fox 24 News Now, 01.13.21

  • YWCA's Martin Luther King celebrations go virtual, start Thursday
    | Charleston City paper, 01.13.21

  • Up close with LaVanda Brown on the 2021 MLK Celebration and more
    | Quintin's Close-Ups, 01.13.21

  • Speaking with LaVanda Brown about the upcoming MLK Celebration
    | The Rector's Corner, 01.13.21 

  • Charleston MLK Celebration 
    | Lowcountry Forever: 92.5 Kickin' Country, Mix 95.9, 99.3 The Box, Star 99.7, HeavenFM, 101.7 Chuck FM, 01.10.21

  • YWCA Greater Charleston moves all MLK Celebration events online because of pandemic
    | Post and Courier, 01.10.21

  • YWCA Greater Charleston opens 2021 MLK Celebration registration
    | Moultrie News, 01.08.21

  • YWCA.GC opens 2021 MLK Celebration registration, announces MLK Ecumenical Service Speaker
    | Holy City Sinner, 01.08.21

  • YWCA opens 2021 MLK Celebration registration
    | Hey, Neighbor! Updates from the City of Charleston's Business & Neighborhood Services, 01.08.21

  • YWCA.GC opens 2021 MLK Celebration registration, announces MLK Ecumenical Service Speaker
    | LowcountryBizSC, 01.08.21

  • News 2 is collecting video submissions for the 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Virtual Parade
    | NBC WCBD News 2, 12.29.20

  • News briefs: Zucker to keynote MLK event
    | Charleston Currents, 12.21.20

  • YWCA Greater Charleston announces MLK Celebration theme and summit keynote speaker
    | Holy City Sinner, 12.16.20

  • YWCA Greater Charleston announces MLK Celebration theme and summit keynote speaker
    | LowcountryBizSC, 12.16.20

  • Charleston announces events for 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration
    | Post and Courier, 12.15.20

  • Mayor Tecklenburg, Anita Zucker, YWCA Greater Charleston kick off the 49th Annual MLK Celebration
    CHStoday | 12.15.20
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How you can help

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If you own or lead an organization, please contact John to sponsor the 2021 MLK Celebration or advertise in the 2021 MLK program! This makes a huge difference in our fight to eliminate racism. There are a variety of sponsorship levels to choose from. We are grateful to our new 2021 MLK Celebration sponsors!
If you're an individual, please attend one or more of our MLK events — and invite your friends! Stay tuned to this page for all the most up-to-date schedule information. 

​We welcome volunteers to serve on our MLK Celebration committees! Let us know if you're interested here. 

2021 MLK SUMMIT
keynote speaker

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ANITA ZUCKER

This year's MLK Summit (formerly known as the MLK Business and Professional Breakfast) will be keynoted by noted philanthropist and business leader Anita Zucker. 

The recipient of the 2019 Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award, 2019 James L. Fisher Distinguished Service Award, and 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, among many other honors, Anita Zucker is the chair and CEO of The InterTech Group, Inc. 

Her philanthropic, advocacy, and community work includes leadership and membership positions on the boards and leadership committees of the College of Charleston, Addlestone Hebrew Academy, Porter Gaud, Ashley Hall, the MUSC Foundation, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the MUSC Neurosciences Department, Clemson University, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Trident Technical College, Tri-Country Cradle to Career Collaborative, Charleston Promise Neighborhood, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, the Coastal Community Foundation, Spoleto, and the Gaillard Management Corporation, among others. She proudly serves as a trustee at the University of Florida and as chair of the University of Florida Foundation. She is a passionate philanthropist and advocate for education.

2020 MLK Ecumenical Service photos

We need YOU

Be part of the international movement for women, girls, and people of color... right here in the Charleston, SC region
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Choose the program you want to support

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Volunteer or become a member

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Sign up for YWCA.GC news

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ADDRESS

YWCA Greater Charleston
PO Box 80935
Charleston, SC 29416
M-F 9 AM to 5 PM

PHONE

843.722.1644 o
​843.722.4992 f

​

EMAIL

email ywca.gc

  • WHO WE ARE
    • SEE OUR MISSION
    • SEE OUR HISTORY
    • MEET OUR STAFF
    • MEET OUR BOARD
  • OUR PROGRAMS
    • | ELIMINATING RACISM |
    • MLK CELEBRATION
    • RACIAL EQUITY INSTITUTE
    • STAND AGAINST RACISM
    • | EMPOWERING WOMEN
    • WHAT WOMEN BRING
    • CAREER SUCCESS SERIES
    • CHOOSE WELL
    • | EMPOWERING GIRLS |
    • Y GIRLS CODE
    • SHESTRONG
  • OUR PARTNERSHIPS
    • SEE OUR PARTNERS
  • OUR NEWS
    • SEE US IN THE NEWS
    • VIEW OUR E.NEWSLETTERS
    • BE IN THE KNOW: SUBSCRIBE HERE
  • SUPPORT OUR MISSION
    • BECOME A MEMBER
    • RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
    • VOLUNTEER WITH US
    • INVEST IN WOMEN & PEOPLE OF COLOR
    • INVEST IN YWCA USA
  • DONATE