The Channel Reflects: The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
“The American dream reminds us … that every man is an heir of the legacy of dignity and worth.”
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Brandon Knight
Global Head of Channel Customer Experience
Zoom
This MLK quote is one that has been with me since college. I probably look at it three times a week. It reminds me to give and do my best at whatever I’m doing. It also helps me to accept people wherever they are and not make judgments based on status or title. I endeavor to leave a mark and a legacy that says “he did his job well.”
Knight is a co-founder and board member of the Xposure Inclusion & Diversity Council, a member of the Channel Futures DE&I Advisory Board and a member of the 2021 and 2022 Channel Futures DE&I 101.
Akilah Murrell
Senior Manager, Channel Marketing
360insights.com
As I reflect on the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr., one word keeps coming to mind. It just so happens that this word, is my “one word” for 2023! Connect.
I wonder what would happen if we all united to tear down the walls of hatred, discrimination, biases and inequalities!? What if we took the time to really connect and get to know each other on a deeper level and truly embrace our differences.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used the power of influence, the power of connectedness to change the world. He successfully won the hearts of many, changed the mindset of skeptics and, yes, even converted some of his haters, just by his willingness to connect and unite.
Let’s face it, many of us fear the unknown. Quite frankly, there are too many “unknowns” passing us by daily because we simply don’t take the time to learn, to get to know and connect with people outside of our own personal comfort zones.
Connecting with others outside of our circles is the very thing that will elevate and give us a fresh new perspective personally and professionally!
When we truly connect and value one another, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish … together.
Murrell is a member of the 2021 and 2022 Channel Futures DE&I 101.
Alexis Williams
Digital Marketing Manager
The 20
Williams is a member of the 2021 Channel Futures DE&I 101.
Mikaela Adolphus
Partner Marketing Manager
Five9
For me, Martin Luther King Jr.’s work and legacy represent the power love, compassion and understanding can have in any situation. No matter our differences, if we can display the virtues of love, compassion and understanding for each other, we can find a way to live in harmony. That is what society needs more than anything.
Adolphus is co-founder and executive director of the Coalition for African Diaspora Student-Athletes and a member of the 2022 Channel Futures DE&I 101.
Mayka Rosales-Peterson
Senior Manager, Partner Marketing
Intelisys
This quote has impacted the way that I show up in the world because it has taught me the importance of leading with empathy even if the odds are stacked against me. It has also shown me that through the moments of adversity and challenges, barriers can come down when people open their hearts and ears with compassion. Martin Luther King Jr. is the true representation of authentic leadership driven by principles. He forever shifted the consciousness of the world in a positive way. His principles will continue to be carried through the legacy of the many people doing the important work of breaking down barriers. This will positively change the course of history and impact many generations to come.
Rosales-Peterson is a member of the Channel Futures DE&I Advisory Board and a member of the 2021 and 2022 Channel Futures DE&I 101.
William Huston
Founder & Chief Investment Officer
Bay Street Capital Holdings
I’ve shared a photo of a mural in Portugal with the phrase “Eu Tenho um Sonho” which translates to “I have a dream.”
It was amazing to me that so many years after MLK’s life that all the way in Europe there are still people inspired by and aspiring to his ideal.
In Portugal, Black people face obstacles with citizenship. When I found that out, I decided Bay Street should make a statement by buying a hotel in Portugal that serves as a place that welcomes Black people visiting the country and living within the country.
Huston is a member of the 2022 Channel Futures DE&I 101.
Kelli Ballou-McMillan
Director, Global Partners (Channel)
Five9
Founder & CEO
Xposure Inclusion & Diversity Council
When I’m in D.C., I stay off 14th Street when I run and make my pilgrimage to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial! On this day of service, I reflect on our ancestors who offered their lives for a better future for us. It is also a reminder that the work that I do isn’t for me, it is to push forward the creation of inclusive environments so that all humans have access, equity and justice!
Ballou-McMillan is a 2022 Channel Futures Channel Influencer and a member of the 2021 and 2022 Channel Futures DE&I 101.
Raquel Wiley
DE&I Advocate
Channel Influencer
This is one of my favorite quotes, near and dear to me for more reasons than one.
Wiley is a 2022 Channel Futures Channel Influencer and a member of the Channel Futures DE&I Advisory Board
Vennard Wright
CEO & President
Wave Welcome
This resonates with me in every part of my life … family, work and community service. I believe it’s very easy for us appear to be beacons of success and to appear calm when things are going our way, but the true leaders and real examples are those who are able to remain even and persevere when things really become difficult.
Every now and then I deliberately put myself into challenging situations, to build that resolve and to ensure I’ve still got what it takes to be a good leader.
Wright is a board trustee at Capitol Technology University and chair of the Prince George’s County Tech Council.
Vennard Wright
CEO & President
Wave Welcome
This resonates with me in every part of my life … family, work and community service. I believe it’s very easy for us appear to be beacons of success and to appear calm when things are going our way, but the true leaders and real examples are those who are able to remain even and persevere when things really become difficult.
Every now and then I deliberately put myself into challenging situations, to build that resolve and to ensure I’ve still got what it takes to be a good leader.
Wright is a board trustee at Capitol Technology University and chair of the Prince George’s County Tech Council.
Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we commemorate the life and work of Dr. King. We reflect on his life and legacy.
Legacy was important to King. In his speeches he referred to “the legacy of slavery” and “a legacy of creative protest.” But no legacy was more important to him than ensuring Blacks had equal opportunity to pursue the American dream.
In a 1965 sermon to his congregation at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, he said: “[The dream] is found in those majestic words of the Declaration of Independence, words lifted to cosmic proportions: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by God, creator, with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ This is a dream. It’s a great dream…
“The American dream reminds us … that every man is an heir of the legacy of dignity and worth.
“And so it is marvelous and great that we do have a dream, that we have a nation with a dream; and to forever challenge us; to forever give us a sense of urgency; to forever stand in the midst of the ‘isness’ of our terrible injustices; to remind us of the ‘oughtness’ of our noble capacity for justice and love and brotherhood.”
To mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, we asked a few members of the channel to share their thoughts on King’s legacy. Scroll through the gallery above to see their responses.
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