UTSW volunteers staff a booth at the event.

On the weekend leading into Martin Luther King Jr. Day, nearly 100 UT Southwestern volunteers assembled into a “clean team,” alongside others, to carry on the legacy of a leader who spent his life serving others. They traveled more than 50 streets in Dallas’ historic Fair Park district and continued efforts to beautify the area. The annual MLK Fest DFW, hosted by The Walls Project, fosters fellowship and builds pride in the community.

The event involved various community partners, including UT Southwestern, to support, empower, and make a profound impact in the South Dallas neighborhood. A lunchtime celebration, featuring free food, live music, and powerful speakers and performances on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center’s outdoor stage, added to the camaraderie.

UTSW participants kick off the cleanup project.

UT Southwestern staffed an outdoor booth at the event, offering attendees educational medical pamphlets, portable soap sheets, and stress balls.

“Volunteering allows us to pour back into the community and to help take care of our local neighborhoods to make where we live a better place,” said one of the UTSW participants.

Volunteers lend a helping hand in support of service.

UT Southwestern employees demonstrated their commitment to fostering a healthy community and serving the needs of others, exemplifying the institution’s values of teamwork and compassion.

UTSW community members unite in the cleanup project to beautify the neighborhood.