Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On the third Monday of January each year, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Although Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed on January 20, 1986, it wasn’t until 2000 that all 50 U.S. states acknowledged the event. The now federal holiday honors Dr. King’s birthday and the monumental contributions he made as a civil rights leader and activist.

Across the U.S. today, organizations are hosting special events to give back to the communities they serve. Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” So today, organizations are encouraged to assess the actions they’re deliberately taking to better our society, culture, and future generations.

With demands for companies to demonstrate meaningful progress in their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria already in motion, this exercise is one that you should be prepared for.

One way you can make an impact is by reviewing your diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI&A) program. Are you hiring job prospects fairly? – are you compensating employees equitably? – are you fostering a culture of inclusivity? These are questions that you should be asking yourself. Now is the time to think about what changes you can make today, to ensure a better tomorrow.

As Dr. King famously proclaimed in his I Have a Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”

And so, on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, take time to reflect on what steps you’re taking to move the needle on DEI&A initiatives. Honor Dr. King’s legacy by sharing with the world your commitment to achieving workplace equality.