“Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s children.” 
– Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The steps of the beloved Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. King spoke those words in 1963, were filled with thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters demanding an end to violence only a few months ago. How frightening that just last week they were the gathering ground for a riot fueled by racism and paranoia. Given the travesty of the Capitol insurrection, we are very far from Dr. King’s vision for our nation. Obviously, this year’s remembrance of Martin Luther King is like no other.

Those who want to shut the doors of justice and opportunity are planning to storm Washington, DC and state capitols. They are likely to commit acts of violence and hate on the very week we commemorate this great Black man.  

We will toil in his honor, instead. The PCCY Young Professionals Advisory Council will distribute hundreds of books to Philadelphia children and families on Monday. This energized new Council is a collection of diverse, dynamic, and engaged young leaders from across the region who we know someday will be running the most important institutions in our communities. And they are learning from us how to put children first when they take the reins. 

For the nearly 15,000 children across our region who can’t read at grade level when they start fourth grade, the doors of opportunity are sealed shut for their lifetimes. The Young Professionals Advisory Council is giving out books in the spirit of Dr. King. Yet, they know they must do much more. They are devoted to advocate with us to end the immorality of Pennsylvania’s education system where the quality of a child’s school depends on their zip code.

It’s been nearly 60 years since Dr. King gave one of the most important speeches of the 20th century while standing before a statute of another great leader, President Abraham Lincoln, whose inauguration day was also marred by threats of violence and riots.

The repair of our nation begins with education in the broadest sense.  

Dr. King said, ‘We must LEARN to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

In his memory we thank every person who takes time this holiday weekend to help pry off the heavy plates of racism and hate that close the minds of so many Americans, and TEACH our fellow citizens that respect and love are the only pathways to justice and equality.

With the force of millions of people working together, we can open the doors of opportunity for all children. To join the PCCY Young Professionals Advisory Council and be a force for change, contact Steven at stevenf@childrenfirstpa.org.