With many civil rights icons and historical institutions located throughout the city, Atlanta has a rich history rooted in activism. Atlanta is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and home to the historic church he once pastored that remains active today. It was on the pulpit of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church where King campaigned for social justice and implored people nationally to join him and others in the Civil Rights Movement.
This year, during the week of MLK Day, Club members across Metro Atlanta expanded their knowledge of the Atlanta civil rights icon through an org-wide virtual scavenger hunt.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta kids and teens participated in this engaging and fun mission by completing challenges aimed to educate and bring awareness to the man, the myth and the legend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Tyler Reid, BGCMA College & Career Readiness program manager.
Each day, Club members were asked to capture pictures in response to scavenger hunt prompts and questions such as “How old Dr. King was when he won the Nobel Peace Prize? And “Who authorized the wiretap on King’s phone?”
“Participants were challenged to set out and find these answers any way they see possible: ask someone older, conduct research, or even phone a friend,” Reid explained. “This program provided background knowledge and insight to the path MLK sought for African Americans to live the life we live today.”
A winner was declared for each day of the challenge: on Monday, Purpose (Whitehead Club); Tuesday, Zander & Emily (Chamblee Club); Wednesday, Kevin (Whitehead Club); Thursday, Jonathan (Whitehead Club); and Friday, Zander & Emily (Whitehead Club).
Club members ended the week with a better understanding of Dr. King and greater insight into how to strengthen their communities.