The Beauty of Individual Action: How Dr. King Continues to Inspire

The Beauty of Individual Action: How Dr. King Continues to Inspire Our Movement

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” — Dr. Martin Luther King

This mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., located in Macon-Bibb, GA, was brought to life with support from the Keep America Beautiful MLK Community Corridor Grant.

By Jennifer Lawson, CEO of Keep America Beautiful

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left an indelible mark on our nation, not just through his leadership in the civil rights movement but in his belief in the power of the individual to create meaningful change. At Keep America Beautiful, we continue to be inspired by his legacy of service.

Through the Keep America Beautiful Martin Luther King Community Corridor Grant program, we’re supporting community-based efforts, led by local volunteers, to improve areas named in honor of Dr. King. More than 950 MLK corridors crisscross the country, serving as vital thoroughfares through diverse neighborhoods and commercial areas. Many are in under-resourced communities, where you’ll find Keep America Beautiful volunteers at the forefront of activities such as planting gardens, painting murals, picking up litter, and encouraging recycling efforts.

This MLK Day, I want to shine a spotlight on a few of these remarkable volunteers whose work embodies the spirit of service and leadership that drives the Keep America Beautiful movement:

In Aiken, South Carolina, Teresa Callahan is helping to transform the MLK Memorial Highway and its community by leading cleanups in the area, including the historic Black Pinelawn Cemetery, while providing services in support of elderly and disabled residents.

In Macon, Georgia, Stanley Stewart is known as a “super volunteer” for his work cleaning up neighborhoods, planting trees, working in community gardens, and securing a safe and clean walking trail for students at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.

In Akron, Ohio, Kim Haws Falasco has been a tireless advocate for Keep Akron Beautiful since 1997, raising and donating money, leading cleanups, and beautifying parks, all while inspiring her community to take pride in Akron’s transformation.

In Columbia, SC, Barbara Whaley is known as an endless source of energy and kindness, tirelessly serving on the MLK Neighborhood Homeowners’ Board, spearheading improvement projects, building planter boxes, raking leaves, and even collecting bicycles for every child in her neighborhood.

In Winter Park, Florida, full-time student Hailey Manitz is a standout volunteer whose enthusiastic support for MLK Jr. Park shines through her leadership in cleanups, shoreline restorations, and public education on sustainability, embodying the spirit of a true community hero.

These are just a few examples of how individual actions are making a big difference. We salute these volunteers and thank them for the positive contributions they’re making in their communities.

As we honor Dr. King’s legacy on January 20, it’s a good moment for all of us to reflect on the role we can play in making our own community a better place. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, Keep America has launched the Greatest American Cleanup (opens in a new tab), so our nation looks its very best on July 4, 2026—America’s 250th birthday. I invite you to pledge your support (opens in a new tab).

Whether you pick up litter, plant a garden, or donate money, your actions matter. Working together, we can answer Dr. King’s urgent question and create a future where everyone lives in a clean, green, and beautiful community. Because when we work together, we really can do beautiful things!

Ready to make a difference in your community? Click HERE (opens in a new tab) to find a Keep America Beautiful affiliate near you and start your volunteerism journey today!