Bowie State University Honors Dr. King’s Legacy of Service

1,000 Lunches Prepared for the Unhoused During Annual MLK, Jr. Day of Service

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Donell Pettus, donell.pettus3@gmail.com, 240-817-7870

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last Friday by hosting its annual MLK, Jr. Day of Service, uniting students, faculty and staff to pack 1,000 lunches for the unhoused. Held in the Beacon Room last Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event underscored the university’s deep commitment to service and community engagement.

Dr. King’s vision of compassion and equality was at the heart of the day’s activities, as participants came together to reflect on his enduring values. Professor Keadrick Peters, one of the event’s organizers, highlighted the significance of the initiative.

“A Day of Service is more than just volunteering—it’s a reflection of Dr. King’s dream of unity and compassion. Bowie State’s ongoing commitment to this cause shows our dedication to impacting the community.”

The event also provided a stark reminder of the challenges facing the unhoused population. In Maryland alone, more than 30,000 people experience homelessness each year, largely due to systemic issues such as a lack of affordable housing, poverty and poor health outcomes. Nationally the numbers are equally sobering: on any given night, approximately 582,000 people are unhoused, with African Americans disproportionately affected, representing 37% of the unhoused population despite being only 12% of the U.S. population.

“This event is not just about giving back,” said Layla Trammel, a senior nursing major who participated in the event. “This entire activity is about understanding the power of service and the responsibility we have to support those in need.”

The MLK, Jr. Day of Service at Bowie State served as a powerful platform for reflection, empathy and leadership. By reaching their goal of preparing 1,000 lunches, the university community demonstrated the power of collective action and inspired participants to extend their service beyond the campus.

Bowie State’s commitment to Dr. King’s vision continues to grow each year, serving as a beacon of hope and action in addressing one of the most pressing social challenges of our time.

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.