Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Call to Action for Equity and Inclusion

Today, January 20, 2025, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is only fitting that America honors this extraordinary individual who dedicated his life to the fight for justice, equality, and inclusion. Many of us are familiar with Dr. King’s remarkable achievements: receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, playing a pivotal role in the 1963 March on Washington where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, and being instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Read more about Dr. King's life here.)

Dr. King once proclaimed in a speech that "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." His greatness stemmed not only from his eloquent speeches but from his relentless actions to advance the civil rights of all Americans. He served with courage and compassion, ultimately paying the ultimate price—his life—to help all Americans achieve equality.

Yet, as we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, we must acknowledge the ongoing challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our society. Across the United States, there has been a troubling backlash against DEI initiatives, with efforts to dismantle programs aimed at creating fairer workplaces and communities. This backlash not only undermines the progress achieved by leaders like Dr. King but also sends a harmful message that the fight for equality is over—when in reality, much work remains to be done.

Dr. King’s life reminds us that progress requires persistence, even in the face of criticism and resistance. Today, as individuals and organizations, we have a choice: Will we continue to push for the inclusive and equitable society Dr. King envisioned, or will we allow fear and division to halt that progress?

Each of us can make a difference. Reflect on how you can serve others, support diversity, and stand up against injustice in your communities and workplaces. Let us use today not just as a day of reflection, but as a call to action to champion equity and inclusion for all.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Dr. King’s dream of a society where individuals are judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin is not yet fully realized. But together, we can honor his legacy by recommitting ourselves to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion—and by ensuring his dream lives on in our actions.