"Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. 
You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. 
You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. 
You only need a heart full of grace. 
A soul generated by love.”

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, January 16, Self-Help offices will be closed to observe Martin Luther King Day. Just a glance online shows a wide range of special events all over the nation and North Carolina, and many on our staff will be participating. We asked a few of our colleagues about their plans — here's a short sample:

A previous MLK Commemoration service at Duke University Chapel, photo courtesy of Duke University Photography

Lois DeLoatch plans to attend the annual MLK Commemoration at Duke University Chapel. This year's keynote speaker is Phil Freelon, lead architect of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Lois DeLoatch (Gifts Officer - Center for Responsible Lending)

Brittany Bennett and Laura Benedict have signed up to sort and package books for Book Harvest in Durham. Book Harvest “provides books to children who need them and helps promote literacy and academic success.”

Laura Benedict (Director - Development, Policy and Impact)

Brittany Bennett, Self-Help Commercial Loan Officer

Norma Wesson, branch manager of our Windsor office, is celebrating MLK Day with the Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a service organization. Along with the sorority, Norma and her husband Archie will attend a special service at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Their daughter Brianna will help lead the program.

Norma Wesson (Self-Help’s branch manager in Windsor) and her husband, Archie

Both Jane Hatley and Merald Holloway will be out early on MLK Day. Jane is attending the 36th annual Prayer Breakfast held by the Dr. Martin Luther King Association of Asheville and Buncombe County. Merald will be in Reidsville, NC, attending the Chamber of Commerce’s 17th annual Unity Breakfast. Each year the Unity Breakfast funds two scholarships for local students to attend Rockingham Community College.

Jane Hatley (Regional Director, Western NC) and Merald Holloway (Director, Member Services Contact Center)

And finally, Debbie Goldstein (EVP, Center for Responsible Lending) will be a guest speaker at the Lerner Jewish Community Day School, where her children attend. Debbie's talk on social justice will be part of student activities that include public service projects. 

Debbie Goldstein of the Center for Responsible Lending