Folks, on this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we remind ourselves about his mission of service, justice, and equality.

Dr. King was not just a champion for civil rights, but an inspiration to all of us who fight to make America and the world a better place. His voice inspired a movement and his words stick with us as guiding principles in life.

Today, we will watch Donald Trump – someone who divided us and singled out Americans for who they are and what they believe – be inaugurated as the President of the United States once again. And for many people, they are nervous and the future is uncertain.

One of my favorite quotes of Dr. King's is, "The time is always right to do what is right." Even today, we all should take the time to think about what our next steps will be in our ongoing mission to strive towards justice and equality for all.

In honor of Dr. King's service he gave to our country, I'm encouraging each of you to give back to your community in any way possible and to do what is right. Whether it's volunteering at a food bank or helping a neighbor with a chore, I've always found that good deeds are free but repay you in the best ways possible.

In the weeks, months and years to come, let’s commit ourselves to unite together to create a brighter, more equitable future for all Americans.

Thank you for reading,

Lisa Blunt Rochester