4th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Youth Summit

[Loch Sheldrake, NY] – The 4th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Youth Summit will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at SUNY Sullivan from 9am – 2pm, with a new, optional after-party from 2 – 5pm. The Summit is intended to inspire attending Juniors and Seniors to understand the importance of their voice and their ability to act for change. The day kicks off with a screening of Dr. King’s famous speech, “Blueprint for Life” which focuses on the principles of belief in oneself, determination and commitment. Students will participate in workshops and collaborative activities designed to open their minds and hearts to greater service for themselves, their schools and their communities.

This year’s keynote speaker is John Johnson, a dynamic communications specialist and mentor from Brooklyn, NY who is passionate about empowering youth who feel unseen and unheard to discover and activate their purpose. With over 10 years of experience, John has helped individuals and organizations worldwide develop effective communication strategies that drive personal and professional success. As CEO & Founder of JJS LLC, he now shares his powerful message through inspiring public speaking engagements, while continuing his love for creative expression through spoken word and cultural performances. John Johnson’s engagement has been generously sponsored by grants from the Sullivan County Youth Bureau and Tobacco Free Action Communities.

Participating students will receive a certificate for 4 hours of community service, be treated to a delicious lunch sponsored by the My Brother’s Keeper program at Monticello Central School, will receive an MLK journal courtesy of Action Towards Independence Inc. and a commemorative sweatshirt from Sullivan 180. Pre-registration is required and interested students should connect with their guidance counselor.

Sullivan 180 is partnering with a network of youth organizations to present the MLK Day of Service Youth Summit including Action Toward Independence, the Center for Workforce Development, Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, Hope’s Compass, Go Beyond Greatness, SALT (Sullivan Allies Leading Together), Monticello’s My Brother’s Keeper at Monticello Central School, the Sullivan County Youth Bureau, SUNY Sullivan, Tobacco Free Action Communities, and Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Teachers. To find out more about the event or to find out who your school’s MLK Day registration contact is, visit www.sullivan180.org

To learn more or get involved with the MLK Day of Service Youth Summit, contact Amanda Langseder, Sullivan 180 Senior Director of Prevention Programming at amanda@sullivan180.org or 845-295-2681.