ROI is pleased to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and our offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024 in remembrance of him.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was a Baptist Minister, Civil Rights advocate and leader of the non-violent movement in the late 1950’s and 60’s. In just 13 years, his leadership in the social justice and change movement accomplished more for racial equality in the United States than the previous 350 years.
He has numerous accomplishments, including being key to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These bills helped African Americans achieve civil rights throughout the United States.
Dr. King’s non-violent movements consisted of preaching, writing, marches, sit ins and speeches. One of his most powerful speeches was “I Have a Dream”. This speech was delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. The march was a call for equality and freedom, and a protest against discrimination.
This gathering served as a catalyst to encourage the passage of the Civil Rights Act which was being reviewed by Congress. Towards the end of the speech, Mahalia Jackson urged Dr. King to tell everyone about “the dream”, and from the soul of a Southern Baptist Minister came the heart felt cry of a man, declaring his hopes and dreams for the world we live in and the improvement of our society so that one day we all could live in a free world, with equal rights for all.
“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.…I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream that…one day right there in Alabama, little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers…”
As we commemorate January 15th, let us continue his dream, and not forget the tireless sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We should continue to carry out his cry for equality for all. Let us serve one another, help our fellowman, and continue to carry the torch to improve our world for ALL mankind.
