Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., America’s foremost civil rights leader and nonviolence advocate, once said, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.”

Observed annually on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day) commemorates Dr. King’s birthday and honors his life and dedication to advancing civil rights and racial equality. And for the first time, all Honda operations in the U.S. universally observed MLK Day as a company holiday on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

Honoring MLK Day as one Honda team is an example of the new actions Honda has taken to advance inclusiveness, equity and diversity within the company, and reaffirms the company’s commitment to these values.

As the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, Honda encouraged associates to devote time on Monday to support their communities, and many associates Honored Dr. King’s legacy through acts of service.

At the Alabama Auto Plant (AAP), volunteers worked with Hands On Birmingham at the Boys and Girls Club of Pell City by cleaning and painting the facility. “It’s great that we are able to come together to work and give back to our community,” said AAP associate Shearon Epps. “Volunteering is something I love to do and is a part of who I am.” 

Torrance, California, and Alpharetta, Georgia, associates participated virtually with motivational letter writing to Students Run LA and Meals on Wheels Atlanta. In addition, Honda sponsored online MLK breakfast events in Columbus, Ohio, and Lima, Ohio, as well as the annual National Action Network MLK Breakfast hosted virtually from Washington, D.C., to honor individuals whose work have expanded justice and equality in their communities.