Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - What it Means to Me

Pressing Forward to Become Our Best Version of Self

As I think back on my life, being born in the midst of a civil rights movement and not knowing what type of world was being created during this time, my father soon explained that growing up as an African American I would face some challenges, but nothing that you could not overcome with knowledge and dedication.

This Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday means just that to me, knowledge and dedication, as I am reminded of the 1963 “I Have A Dream" speech. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that one day this world would not judge people by the color of their skin but the content of their character. I am living proof. I am the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King dreamed of many years ago. He also stated that “if you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” This quote was said at the 1960 address at Spellman College. This has been my vision in my own life. I never stopped moving, and even today I believe the path had already been set for me and I am extremely grateful for my life.

The Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday is more to me than just a holiday. It is a lifestyle of pursuit for justice, equality, and love, a reminder that we must work together as a nation to keep pressing forward to become our best version of self. The late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, “The beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.”

Nommo Z. Donald

Vice President