Residents are invited to celebrate the life of the civil rights campaigner the Reverend Martin Luther King at an event at the Anglican Cathedral on Monday.

Local organisations will also be recognised for their efforts in “taking up MLK’s baton” and tackling issues such as poverty and social justice.

The event, held on what is observed as the Martin Luther King Day public holiday in the United States, has been organised by the community groups Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda, Imagine Bermuda and Social Justice Bermuda.

Dr King campaigned against segregation in the US in the 1950s and 60s. His I Have A Dream speech, delivered in Washington in 1963, brought civil rights to the forefront of political debate and facilitated the passage in the US of the Civil Rights Act a year later.

Dr King was assassinated in 1968.

Glenn Fubler, of Imagine Bermuda, said: “This observance offers an opportunity to reflect on some of the qualities of character manifested by Dr King.

“The gathering will offer our community some insight into how MLK’s legacy offers pointers towards enhancing our families and local and global communities.”

Curb is also inviting the community to mark National Day of Racial Healing on Tuesday to “promote healing and foster engagement around the issues of racism, bias, inequity and injustice in our society”.

The organisation will be hosting educational workshops at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute during the day.

Students are invited to attend activities and debates between 8.30am and 3.30pm.

An evening session, held between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, will highlight two Curb initiatives — Truth and Reconciliation Community Conversations, and Restorative Practice training and conferencing.

A Curb spokeswoman said: “It is an opportunity for people and organisations to come together in their common humanity and take collective action towards creating a more just and equitable Bermuda.”

Monday’s MLK celebration will take place between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.