2025 is not the era of fake gestures and awkward marketing stunts. Ngl, people see right through that now. Gen Z is leading the vibes check, and spoiler: performative, cringy, or hollow moves are not making the cut during important US holidays in 2025.

This generation demands real action, authenticity, and meaningful change.

If your business is still clinging to outdated “MLK Day Sales” or recycled Instagram quotes with zero follow-through, prepare to get roasted.

Here’s the truth: Dr. King wasn’t about shallow gestures or hashtag activism. He was about tangible action-justice, equity, and unapologetic progress.

And this Jan 20th, 2025, your Shopify business has every tool to step up.

So, what’s the move? For starters, leave behind the cringe-worthy tropes and take note of what not to do. Because let’s be real-MLK Day is not about boosting sales or scoring easy clout.

If you’re serious about honoring his legacy, here is what not to do, followed by what to do!

20 Things Not to Do on MLK Day

1. Run “MLK Day Sales”

Nothing says “I missed the point” like slapping a discount on your services for “Dream Big Deals!” Just… don’t.

2. Post a Quote Without Context

Throwing up “I Have a Dream” on Instagram without meaningful action? It screams performative.

3. Use MLK’s Image on Products

Turning his legacy into merch? Tacky. Unless it’s directly benefiting a related cause, skip it.

4. Ignore the Day Completely

If you’re silent on MLK Day, your audience might think you don’t care about equality. That’s a bad look.

5. Make It All About Your Brand

This isn’t your moment to shine. Elevate others or take genuine action instead.

6. Tokenize Employees

Asking Black employees to lead initiatives they didn’t volunteer for is cringe-worthy and exploitative.

7. Use Clichéd Stock Photos

Generic “diversity” pictures with fake smiles? Your audience will see through it.

8. Force Participation

Mandatory events or activities can feel forced. Create opportunities, but keep it voluntary.

9. Use “MLK Day” as Marketing Bait

“Celebrate MLK Day with us” isn’t a vibe unless you’re offering something meaningful (not sales).

10. Donate to Random Causes

Make sure your donations align with Dr. King’s mission-civil rights, justice, and equity.

11. Stay Silent About Inequities

If you’ve got internal issues with diversity or inclusion, ignoring them on MLK Day is hypocritical.

12. Run Overly Emotional Ads

Dramatic music, black-and-white photos, and vague messages? Unless there’s substance, it’s just fluff.

13. Do One-Day Activism

Real change doesn’t start and stop on January 20th. Commit to ongoing action or don’t bother.

14. Exploit the Day for PR

If your goal is a viral moment rather than actual impact, skip it. People see through empty stunts.

15. Ignore Employee Input

Your team likely has meaningful ideas for honoring the day. Don’t steamroll them with a top-down approach.

16. Skip Transparency

If you don’t have diversity, don’t use MLK Day to pretend otherwise. Own it and improve.

17. Fail to Educate

Assuming people already know the significance of the day? Nah, use your platform to educate.

18. Sponsor Generic Events

Funding a “unity” concert with no ties to MLK’s vision? Feels like a missed opportunity.

19. Use Empty Buzzwords

Throwing out words like “diversity” without actual policies or actions comes off as lazy.

20. Ignore Intersectionality

MLK’s fight was about race, class, and justice. If your efforts are one-dimensional, you’re missing the bigger picture.

10 Things Your Business Should Do on MLK Day

MLK Day in 2025 is about showing up authentically and making real moves. No fluff, no performative nonsense-just action. Dr. King’s vision wasn’t about looking good for a day; it was about creating lasting change. And honestly? Your business has a chance to make a difference if you’re willing to put in the work. Here’s how to keep it meaningful, impactful, and cringe-free.

1. Give Employees the Day Off

This one’s simple: show respect for the day by giving your team time to reflect, volunteer, or rest. Bonus points if you offer paid volunteer hours for those who want to spend the day giving back.

2. Amplify Black-Owned Businesses

Use your platform to spotlight Black-owned businesses in your industry or community. Post about them, collaborate, or even host a pop-up. It’s a small move with a big impact.

3. Make a Donation That Counts

Pick a nonprofit that aligns with Dr. King’s mission-think civil rights, education, or justice reform-and donate a meaningful amount. No half-measures. And bonus cred? Don’t post about it all day on your Insta., let your employees know but that’s all.

4. Host a Real Conversation

Invite a speaker or panel to discuss modern racial justice issues. Keep it raw and unfiltered-people connect with authenticity, not corporate buzzwords.

5. Commit to Long-Term Change

MLK Day shouldn’t be a one-day event. Announce a new year-round initiative with impact, such as taking interns from HBU.

6. Support Local Grassroots Movements

Find small, community-based organizations doing the hard work and partner with them. Whether it’s funding, volunteering, or sharing their mission, show up in a way that matters.

7. Share Your Platform

Got a big audience? Hand over your social media for the day to activists, educators, or organizations continuing MLK’s work. Use your reach for good.

8. Offer Free Educational Content

Host a free workshop, webinar, or even a movie night featuring documentaries like Selma or I Am MLK Jr. Knowledge is power, and it’s a great way to bring people together.

9. Sponsor Youth Programs

Empower the next generation by funding mentorship programs, scholarships, or extracurricular activities for marginalized kids in your area. Dr. King believed in building a brighter future-so should you.

10. Lead by Example

Audit your own business practices. Are you truly inclusive? Transparent? Fair? Share your progress and outline how you’ll do better. Action starts from within.

Authenticity is the ultimate flex in 2025. MLK Day isn’t about performative actions or trying to look “woke.” It’s about stepping up, making real change, and contributing to a vision that’s bigger than any one day-or any one business.