Martin Luther King Jr. Day

DEI

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Born on January 15, 1929, and raised in segregated Georgia, Martin Luther King, Jr. went on to become a household name for his courageous leadership during the civil rights movement of the mid-20^th century. By the time he was 35 years old, King was the youngest person ever to have received a Nobel Peace Prize, only to be senselessly assassinated a few years later. To honor his legacy, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a federal holiday and is observed annually on the third Monday in January.

King remains known worldwide for his unwavering commitment to promoting nonviolent activism in the face of violent racism. From leading peaceful protests to publishing eye-opening literature, he dedicated his life to combatting racial injustice and serving as a voice for those who had been stripped of one. His eloquence caught the attention of people all over the world, bringing racial inequality to the forefront of the conversation. Despite being a global symbol of nonviolence, King was wrongfully arrested and imprisoned dozens of times for acts of civil disobedience, famously writing his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” during solitary confinement.

His tireless efforts paved the way for the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, among other milestone legislative victories for the civil rights movement. To this day, these laws protect people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as well as protect the right to vote. Because he dedicated his life to improving the wellbeing of others, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to promote nationwide volunteer work and inspire people to improve their communities.

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we encourage you to engage with your community and create constructive action by volunteering to serve others. This can be done through cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person, helping those who are food insecure, and so much more. Together, we can keep King’s legacy alive all while making a difference within our own communities.

“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”

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