Dr. King, Voting Rights, Theatre & Community

Good Afternoon,

Friends - I'm sipping a warm cup of green tea while listening to music inspired by Paris. In just a couple of weeks, Brett and I will be in Paris, and my excitement grows daily. I can’t wait to see the Eiffel Tower, enjoy a buttery croissant, and wander through the charming streets. This will be our first trip to Paris, so if you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them!

Leadership

Monument for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King in Atlanta, GA

As we prepare for our trip, I'm also reflecting on an important upcoming day. On January 20th, we’ll honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the nation will have the day off to reflect on his impact.

Last summer, Brett and I visited Dr. King’s National Historic Park and Ebenezer Baptist Church. It was a deeply moving experience that reminded me of Dr. King’s humanity and unwavering commitment to justice. His fight for voting rights, worker protections, and an end to racial discrimination transformed our nation, but his work is far from over.

Dr. King’s words from his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech still resonate today:

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’ I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. 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 today."

Community was central to Dr. King’s mission, and Ebenezer Baptist Church played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement. It’s a reminder of the power of connection and collective action.

Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA

GRATITUDE for Voting Rights

Reflecting on Dr. King’s legacy, I feel grateful for my right to vote—a right secured by the tireless efforts of civil rights leaders like Dr. King and Medgar Evers. Their work culminated in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Its impact was immediate, with hundreds of thousands of Black Americans registering to vote. The Act has since been strengthened multiple times to ensure its protections endure.

Voting Rights Act.

From the USA Archives Website, "The Voting Rights Act had an immediate impact. By the end of 1965, a quarter of a million new Black voters had been registered, one-third by federal examiners. By the end of 1966, only four out of 13 southern states had fewer than 50 percent of African Americans registered to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was readopted and strengthened in 1970, 1975, and 1982."

However, the fight to protect voting rights continues. I encourage everyone to register to vote and make their voice heard. You can find information on how to register here: usa.gov/register-to-vote.

For more on voting rights, visit: usa.gov/voting-rights.

You can also look up your elected officials and contact them if needed here: live.cicerodata.com.

Looking Forward To!

Arden Theatre Co. poster for "Holy Grail of Memphis"

I’m thrilled about an upcoming production at the Arden Theater in Philadelphia. They’re premiering "The Holy Grail of Memphis" by Michael Hollinger, a play about legacy, the blues, and embracing the future. I’ve seen Michael Hollinger’s plays before, and he’s such a terrific local playwright.

This brief summary of the play makes me even more eager to see it! "When Newton Stover II discovers the long-lost recordings of a legendary bluesman in the basement of his granddaddy’s rundown music studio, he resolves to rebuild his life and legacy. But time and money are running out fast, and the ghosts of the past — and an unexpected stranger — keep showing up.  Holy Grail of Memphis is a new comedy by Philadelphia playwright Michael Hollinger about embracing the future, releasing what haunts us, and singing the blues."

The production features Fred Michael Beam, a Deaf actor, playing Albert “Deaf Duck” Mason, a legendary bluesman fighting to reclaim his lost recordings. Representation matters, and it’s exciting to see disabled characters portrayed by talented disabled actors.

Local Resources in Philadelphia

Finally, if you’re in Philadelphia and in need of assistance, here are some resources:

• Local Good Philadelphia offers microgrants of up to $200.

• FIindHelp.org For a database of resources in your area.

• Liberty Resources, Inc. For disability resources in Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.

  
  

If you’d like to support these organizations, please consider donating or spreading the word.