John,

With the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris just two days away, celebrating Dr. King’s extraordinary life and legacy today feels especially symbolic.

The looming transition is not just a transition of power; it is a return to dignity in the White House. It is a reaffirmation of the best of America’s moral character and represents an incredible opportunity to make progress on our nation’s relationship with civil rights, voting rights, and health care. This moment requires that we re-commit ourselves to the work of economic justice, environmental justice, and racial justice—the values that Dr. King embraced during his life.

Today, I’m also thinking of Dr. King’s extraordinary life of service. Not only his own service, but the ways in which he encouraged those around him to serve.

“You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” - MLK

In the weeks, months, and years ahead, as we work to repair the destruction wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic and the damage and division created by Donald Trump, let’s remember Dr. King’s call to service. Let’s find ways to follow his example and serve each other, serve our communities, and serve our country.

Seth