TULSA — On May 28, City Year Tulsa will lead its annual MLK Day of Service—not in January, but in the heat of spring.
By hosting the event in May, the organization ensures that AmeriCorps members, community partners, and neighbors across Tulsa can show up in full force to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with action.
The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with an opening ceremony featuring breakfast, community reflection, and a call to service. From 9 to 11:30 a.m., teams will spread out across the city to volunteer at sites like the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Iron Gate, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Emergency Infant Services, and other critical organizations that serve Tulsa’s most vulnerable residents.
City Year Tulsa MLK Day of Service
For City Year Tulsa, honoring Dr. King isn’t about slogans. It’s about rolling up sleeves and meeting the moment.
Volunteers will pack meals for families facing food insecurity. They’ll sort donations for mothers in crisis. They’ll help build and restore spaces that reflect the dignity Dr. King demanded for every American—especially those too often pushed to the margins.
“Whether you’re helping in a food pantry or spreading light in community spaces, this day is about living Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community,” the organization said.
Why this matters in Tulsa
In a city shaped by both the trauma of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and the resilience of Greenwood’s legacy, acts of service carry weight. When Tulsa comes together to serve, it doesn’t just honor Dr. King’s words—it confronts history, lifts community, and reclaims agency.
The day will end with reflection circles at each site, encouraging participants to ground the work in meaning and connection.
About City Year Tulsa
City Year is a national education nonprofit that fuels student success by placing diverse teams of AmeriCorps members in public schools to provide targeted academic and social-emotional support. These near-peer mentors work shoulder-to-shoulder with students and educators, helping entire classrooms thrive—especially in historically underserved communities.
Schools that partner with City Year are up to three times more likely to improve in English and math, and students who spend more time with AmeriCorps members show stronger academic confidence, emotional resilience, and community engagement.
Backed by AmeriCorps, local school districts, and private donors, City Year operates in 29 cities across the U.S., with global affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa. At its core, City Year is about building the next generation of leaders who know how to bridge divides, serve others, and create lasting change.
Learn more at cityyear.org.
