Detroit, Michigan — As the nation prepares to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 15, the city that first heard his iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech continues to take significant strides toward realizing that dream. Dr. King delivered an early version of his famous speech on June 23, 1963, during the Walk to Freedom, a pivotal march that took place just weeks before his historic address at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. This unique connection to King’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder for Detroiters, prompting many to view the holiday not merely as a day off but as a call to action. One organization at the forefront of this movement is the Lambda Pi Omega (LPO) chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Founded in 1977, this chapter has been deeply rooted in community service and social advocacy, embodying the principles of sisterhood and service that are central to the sorority’s mission. Crystal Sewell, the current president of LPO, emphasizes that their work transcends the annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. "Our work really is about uplifting our community; that is really at the heart of what we do," Sewell stated. "It is sisterhood and service for the betterment of our local community, that's really the essence and the spirit of our chapter." In preparation for King Day this year, the LPO chapter has organized its annual 'We Are One' AKA Day of Service, which will take place at the Third New Hope Baptist Church in Detroit. The sorority members have set a goal to assemble 1,908 toiletry bags for the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter and support services for families and individuals on the path to recovery. The number of kits—1,908—holds special significance, reflecting the year of the sorority's founding. After the assembly event, these bags will be delivered to various shelters and recovery housing sites affiliated with the mission. Sewell noted that the chapter’s commitment to community service is not limited to once-a-year efforts. "If I were to add it up, I would say we participate in at least 10 volunteer opportunities per month," she explained. "So, you’re talking 100 to 150 volunteer service opportunities per year. There are several hours that go into our volunteerism, over 2,000 hours per year." This impressive commitment underscores the sorority’s ongoing dedication to addressing issues like hunger, education, and community resources throughout the year. The Lambda Pi Omega chapter is part of the Divine Nine, a collective of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities under the National Pan-Hellenic Council. This organization was founded in response to the exclusion of Black students from predominantly White Greek systems, focusing on scholarship, leadership, and service. Dr. King himself was a member of this tradition, having joined the Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in 1952. Jacqueline Newman, a founding member of the LPO chapter, has dedicated decades to service and community advocacy. She became an AKA member in 1970 at Wayne State University and recalls her commitment to helping those in need. "What we do is we try to help, whenever we can, wherever we can," Newman said. Her long history of service includes feeding students, providing clothing, and distributing Thanksgiving baskets. She emphasizes that their outreach efforts are inclusive, serving people of all races and backgrounds. "That’s what I look at as service to all mankind, to all people that are in need. That’s what we do," she added. Newman’s journey toward advocacy began long before her membership in the sorority. Growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she was deeply affected by the civil rights injustices she witnessed. "I was part of the South that he was trying to free from civil rights injustices," she recalled. Moving to Detroit in 1965, she continued her commitment to social justice, inspired by her own experiences and family legacy. Her mother, who became an AKA member in 1962, instilled in her the values of community service. The legacy of Dr. King continues to resonate in Detroit, where the Lambda Pi Omega chapter exemplifies a commitment to service that goes beyond a single day of remembrance. As Sewell articulated, the work they do is about uplifting the community and advocating for social justice. "Service for me is about uplifting others within our community who are of greatest need," she stated. "It is advocating for social justice, making sure our community is informed and educated and registered to vote and getting out to vote, thinking about the whole of the individual, from cradle to senior." As Detroit pauses to remember Dr. King’s dream, organizations like the Lambda Pi Omega chapter are working tirelessly to ensure that his vision for a just and equitable society continues to be realized. They are not just honoring his legacy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day; they are embodying it every day through their unwavering commitment to service and community upliftment.