Every year on the third Monday in January, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the social justice advocate’s historical place in United States history. In honor of his legacy of bridging the racial divide and creating a world free of racism and violence, it’s important to reflect upon the essentiality of the equality movement he inspired during his lifetime.
Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on Aug. 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, is a constant inspiration for how to live my life and build personal and professional communities around me. Dr. King is remembered for saying, “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.” He noted that “people should be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.”
My vision is to create a work environment and safe space for people of all backgrounds with no discrimination concerning race, sex, age, or religion. I wholeheartedly agree with Dr. King and recognize the inherent value of diversity in all aspects of society. From cultural significance to creativity, talent development, and beyond, there are endless advantages to populating your inner circle, offices, and neighborhoods with people from all walks of life.
I am proud that our team at PQE Group embodies the values of equality and diversity and represents many different nationalities and profiles worldwide. As Dr. King said, “we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.” It is “… time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”
PQE Group has shown its strong commitment to bettering our communities and promoting inclusion by continually investing human and financial resources in initiatives that extend to people and the environment.
However, Dr. King’s dreams cannot be realized through words – we need action. As business leaders, we must implement diversity policies throughout our organizations to respect cultural diversity. Our path is not linked to “just making business,” but we use our business, voice, and resources to make a positive change in the world.
Let us continue to appreciate the freedoms we have been given and strive to help others realize their dreams of being successful.