Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.—Empowering Students to Become Leaders

For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Lovett community emphasized its core values and its commitment to whole child development. This year’s events focused on helping students find their voice, empowering them to stand up for what’s right, and emphasizing their agency to change the world.

Lovett students, faculty, staff, and parents engaged in activities and events designed to honor and celebrate the life, teachings, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In chapel services, students heard from fellow students and faculty about what Martin Luther King Jr. Day means to them. For example, in the Upper School service, students discussed small acts of kindness, including peers doing what’s right even when it feels hard, standing up against hate and injustice, pushing against the status quo, and advocating for nonviolence and peace. Twelfth grader Ishan Desai spoke, “During my time on the Riverbank, I’ve felt Dr. King's influence in the way we show up for one another...As we enter Lovett’s Centennial year in 2026, our commitment to service—from Ninth Grade Service Initiative for Ninth Graders (SING) projects to our daily character pledge—reminds me that Dr. King’s dream is a living, breathing part of our future.”

Elliott Reid, who teaches AP African American Studies, told students, “Dr. King taught that dignity is not something granted to us—it is something inherent in every human being...Ultimately, Dr. King’s legacy challenges me to help build a community where belonging is not conditional, respect is not selective, and care is not optional. A community where each person, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance, is treated as worthy.”

Middle and Upper School students also had the special treat of hearing the internationally renowned Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Choir sing traditional hymns, prayers, and spirituals, bringing Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of love and inclusion to life.
 
For the Lower and Middle School, Lovett’s Cultural Events Coordinator Jerry G. White also offered a special performance that included a recitation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech, combined with information about important historical sites around Atlanta and masterful drum performances. 

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day also included off-campus educational and leadership opportunities. Eighth grade and Upper School students attended the King Center’s “Beloved Community” Global Youth Summit, hosted at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The theme for the 2026 event was "Streaming Courage: Building Safe Communities Online,” and speakers included influencers, rap stars, and Dr. Bernice King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter. The students learned how to stay safe online and stand up for themselves without letting hatred crush their spirits.

Students in all divisions enjoyed a professional musical performance titled “Music of Movements: Making Your Voice Matter.” Musicians explained how music can teach us lessons that inspire social movements, and they provided historical examples of powerful songs that inspired change. The lessons focused on empowering students to find their own voice.

On Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, the Lovett community participated in service projects around Atlanta. In partnership with Breakthrough Atlanta, Lovett families, faculty, and staff volunteered at seven sites, braving the cold weather to do mulching and weeding at Kathryn Johnson Park, Tuskegee Airmen National Academy, and Good Mews Animal Foundation; cleaning and repairing bikes at Free Bikes 4 Kidz; creating hygiene packs with seniors at A.G. Rhodes Cobb; sorting books at Books for Africa; and making sandwiches for local shelters through The Sandwich Project.

In Lovett’s character pledge, the Lovett community commits to live lives of good character; engage in daily acts of honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion; act with courage and conviction; and strive to do what is right at all times. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. embodied these ideals, helped make them real in United States policy and culture, and left a legacy for all to follow. At Lovett, students are encouraged and empowered not just to follow that example, but to become leaders—not just tomorrow, but today.