City officials said hundreds of Chattanooga residents stepped up Monday to serve as volunteers on the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday in the city’s third year of “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” The Office of Multicultural Affairs organized about 500 volunteers "to tackle more than a dozen service projects in the M.L. King Neighborhood, giving back to others in the spirit of Dr. King and advancing his dream of opportunity for all."
Officials said, "The annual Day of Service honors Dr.
King’s legacy and is an opportunity for all to recommit to service to others and to engage in conversations to advance community goals. In the M.L. King Neighborhood, volunteers will plant hundreds of daffodils, clear debris, and apply fresh coats of paint, joining hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country through service."
Volunteers met at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center at 8:30 a.m. to begin the MLK Day Service Projects.
Following the service projects in the M.L. King Neighborhood, everyone was invited to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center for the dedication of the M.L. King Mural that wraps the AT&T Building. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech inspired much of the imagery throughout the mural, such as “a stone of hope” and a “rise to the majestic heights.”
The M.L. King Mural is "a monumental, painted testament to one of Chattanooga’s most important neighborhoods, and represents its rich past, present, and vision for the future." The dedication included live music from local performers, presented by Jazzanooga. After the dedication, muralist Meg Saligman and her team gave a free public presentation about the fascinating process, inspiration and meaning behind the imagery.
Those taking part include Mayor Andy Berke, Councilman Moses Freeman, muralist Meg Saligman and AT&T Tennessee President Joelle Phillips