Drawing inspiration on anniversary of March on Washington

(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Today marks an historic milestone from 57 years ago that should remind us of the power of collective action for change and toward social justice. As we navigate a crossroads in U.S. history together, with all eyes on police violence and systemic racism,  it is important to work toward making a better future.

As the NAACP's website documents, "[o]n August 28, 1963, about a quarter-million people participated in the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom gathering near the Lincoln Memorial. More than 3,000 members of the press covered this historic march, in which Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the exalted ` I Have a Dream' speech." 

The next year, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The year after, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. Although not perfect, those laws mark a sea change in civil rights for all in the United States.

We are fortunate to be (at least virtually) at Martin Luther King Jr. Hall, with his statue in our lobby. In these very tough times, I hope that we all can act on the hopes and inspiration of Dr. King.