He had the Dream. You make it Reality.
[A Letter from our National President]
It’s been 57 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
It’s been six months since Black Lives Matter murals were painted across the streets of America.
And it’s been one week since white supremacists stormed the Capitol, in a failed attempt to overthrow our democracy.
I say all this to emphasize that we are far beyond the point of words and performative statements in this country. This is the year for deeper, more concrete actions.
It hasn’t been too long since corporations, brands, public figures, and everyday people alike took a stand and publicly denounced racism, and promised to confront both internal and external injustices. Well, MLK day is just four days away, and there’s never been a more apt time to fulfill those promises.
As we recognize Dr. King’s birthday and head into Black History Month, NAACP is calling on those who committed to the movement to do.
To begin with, individuals, brands and corporations should participate in the MLK National Day of Service, and can also:
Sign the Equal Pay Pledge to ensure all employees get equal pay for equal work by December 2021
Take a year around approach to embracing the spirit of MLK Day and Black History Month
Publish a progress report on June 2020 stated actions by June 2021
Join the One Million Jobs Campaign
Fund support for diversity and inclusion leads within your organization
Provide sustaining support to local social justice organizations
Become a Corporate Member of your local NAACP
Source more diverse candidates by adding to the NAACP Job Board
History has taught us that the road to justice is long and arduous, and it is impossible to undo 400 years of systematic racism in mere months. But we all have the power to start chipping away at those injustices, today.
It’s been 57 years since Dr. King had his dream. It’s time we start making it a reality.
In Solidarity,
Derrick Johnson
@DerrickNAACP
President and CEO
NAACP