The far-right is trying to rewrite the history of slavery and segregation, and as the direct descendant of enslaved people, I take that personally.

The truth is, these are direct attempts to erase the real people who built this country — people like my ancestors, Charles, Lydia, and Anne King, who were enslaved in Gaithersburg, Maryland, in a cabin just 25 miles from where I live with my wife and two daughters today.

Our life is the realization of the hope my ancestors carried with faith in a future they could not see. Our story is proof that progress is possible, because in just three generations, my family went from being enslaved in that cabin to serving in the cabinet of our nation’s first Black president. That’s why today, I am launching a new video about my family’s story and my vision for a more prosperous Maryland built on economic, racial, climate, and educational justice.

I encourage each of you to take a minute out of your day to learn about the kind of change we’re committed to building here, and I hope you will feel moved to share our message with your friends and family so we can grow this movement from the ground up. Please, post our message on social media, send it around to everyone you know who’s ready to invest in a teacher for governor, and share it in any way you can to support this movement for change.

Thank you for being part of this movement,

John King