Our honorees are the bridge builders and the nation healers.

CHECK FOR MORE HONOREES AS THEY ARE REVEALED BEFORE MLK DAY HERE.

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Name: Aisha al-Adawiya

Age: 67

City of Residence: New York City

Occupation: Director and Founder of Women in Islam, Inc.

Her Work: al-Adawiya has been active in interfaith-based activism in New York City and the world for more than three decades. While her organization focuses on strengthening the role and voice of women in Islam, al-Adawiya has been very active in defending Muslims against Islamophobia and promoting interfaith unity in New York City.

On Her Brotherly Walk With Dr. King:

The best way to address brotherly (and sisterly) love is to begin in our own families. We have to be the ones to model that for our own constituencies, first of all. If I’m sitting a room and I hear people making racist statements, I will not sit quietly by, but I will speak directly to it. You don’t get to do that in my presence.  And it doesn’t always have to be confrontational. But if you’re saying bigoted things about other people not present, I always think that when I leave you could say the same things about me. So let’s not do that. And try to think, “Why are we doing that?” And as people of faith, whatever our faiths are, we must ask, “What are our higher callings? Is this something our spiritual elders would encourage us to do?”

I also think we have to start teaching our children at a very young age because I am finding all too often that, for the younger generation, religion seems old-fashioned and tradition is a dirty world. We must develop a conversation, a narrative that will resonate with our young people who think, “I’m not sitting in the room to hear this old man or woman read the same old passages from whatever scripture.”  So brotherly (and sisterly) love has to be meaningful and engage our youth wherever they are because today they are targeted and bombarded with an unprecedented amount of toxic information. So we have to be the first one in our family, in our environment, in our circle to say, “Not on my watch. You don’t get to do that in my presence.”

Much of my work in New York City to continue Dr. King’s mission of brotherly (and sisterly) love between Muslims and people of other faiths and communities is to ensure that Muslims extend that same love to each other.  The tragedy of Sept. 11 not only drew religious and ethnic hatred towards Muslims; it unearthed uncomfortable stereotypes various Muslims held towards other Muslims. More specifically, many Muslims who immigrated to the United States held stereotypes of African-American Muslims that they could comfortably live with. That is, until the Towers fell.

Nobody wants to identify with the underdog, the disenfranchised. So this notion of privilege associated with whiteness is what many new immigrants actively buy into, even though they look like us. But this is not unique to Muslims coming from Muslim majority countries. It is the typical attitude that people bring when they come to America seeking advantage, a better way of life.

But some of the toughest work I have as an activist in the Muslim community is to convince them they no longer have this “advantage.”

Part of what we try to say is ‘your honorary status associated with white priviledge after 911 was taken away.’ Many people now get that and understand the new reality that we all face. Still many continue to say, ‘Well, they don’t know us, they don’t know about Islam and Muslims.’ And we say,’ they do know us.’ You don’t know us.’ Many of us have been here for a very long time, but your choice was not to engage with us, the African-American Muslims.

Encouragingly, relations between the various Muslim communities in New York have significantly improved over the years, and much work remains to be done. But part of our mission to continue Dr. King’s work is to promote self love, that before we ask others to accept us , Muslims must first learn to love and accept each other.

Inspiration: Malcolm X

On How She Thinks We Can Continue The Work Of MLK:

Go to something that you know is out of your box. Go meet some people. One of the very effective ways I have found in terms of breaking down the “us and them” is to create these environments where people can work together on concrete issues that are common to everyone. And it doesn’t just have to be, “Oh, there’s this poor African somewhere in Africa starving. There are some real social justice issues right here at home that need to be addressed and we all need to come together and say, “This is not OK.”

I think, first and foremost, [we need] to be brave enough, strong enough and honest enough with ourselves to say, “Even if I am the only one standing, I will be the first one to speak up.”

Dr. King’s message was not just for black folks. Dr. King’s message was a universal message for everybody. And it called on everybody to acknowledge any deficits in our being, in our innermost selves. To look at those squarely in the face and acknowledge them and then get rid of them. And then you build this beloved community that we talk about because, in order to do that, you have to rid yourself of the noxious toxins that you have been living with for a very long time. Those toxins being our (negative) perceptions, our attitudes, our actions.

Our honorees are the bridge builders and the nation healers.

CHECK FOR MORE HONOREES AS THEY ARE REVEALED BEFORE MLK DAY HERE.

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Name: Dr.  Michael L. Pfleger

Age: 62

City of Residence: Chicago

Occupation: Pastor of The Faith Community of Saint Sabina Roman Catholic Church

His Work: Father Pfleger is a fiery priest who is not afraid of taking a passionate stance on issues that have ruffled collars at the Archdiocese.  He is a civil rights leader who has championed for those who don’t have a voice like the poor.  Father Pfleger has fought powerful figures and corporations without concern for his safety, which was evident when he got arrested for defacing the tobacco and liquor billboards in his South Side neighborhood.

The blond-haired, blue-eyed renegade disciple has used the power of the bully pulpit to tear down social injustices like racism, stomp out the use of illegal guns, discourage violent acts, and get rid of the drug infestations that have plagued his community.  Over the last few years, Chicago’s South Side has seen an emergence of new storefronts and better housing for the poor.  Father Pfleger was instrumental in transforming his area into one of the largest new single-family home developments in Chicago.

Father Pfleger gained international attention, when he encouraged parishioners to buy time from prostitutes as a means of offering counseling and job-training assistance.  The headline-making pastor has adopted three Black boys, gone toe-to-toe with gangsta rappers in his quest to end the violence and disrespect to women, and boycotted shock jock Howard Stern and Jerry Springer for their immoral representations.

Father Pfleger is the man who is best buds with Nation of Islam Leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, the man who stood by Rev. Jeremiah Wright when the press crucified him and President Barack Obama took two steps back, the man who aided in the Black Panther Movement, the man who hobknobs with popular Marxist intellectual Dr. Cornell West and is a fierce challenge to Chicago’s evils.  Yet, in Father Pfleger’s eyes, he’s simply an errand boy for Jesus.

On His Brotherly Walk With Dr. King:

Dr. King believed in challenging the evils and wrongs that were keeping his dream from becoming a reality.  He was a voice crying in the wilderness, a lobbyist for the poor and the disenfranchised and this is so important today.  The poor in America today feel invisible, almost forgotten and disposable by society, and where are the voices that are crying out about what is wrong and evil in society?  You know we have more people in poverty now than we had back in 1968?

Dr. King was a prophetic, inspiring voice and conscience for the poor.  The Christian church today has become so silent, mainstream, more of a Fortune 500 company, a fit into society rather than a voice of conscience that speaks to the world.  This troubles me greatly. Dr. King even challenged the church to really be the church in his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”

In everything that I have taken on, in the thread through it all, racism has been at the core of my battles.  The genocide against Black and Brown children is not a priority in this country.  Why? Because it involves Black and Brown children.  Poor education, gangs, violence, guns, race is always at the root of these evils. Racism is alive and well in America.  Since President Obama has been elected, racism has truly gotten its second wind.

I have been called a “rabble rouser.” When you raise issues of racism, classism, poverty, or if you bring up issues where the quality of education depends on your zip code, then you are labeled a “rabble rouser.” I am just trying to be faithful to the gospel, true to Christ, a conscience to a society that has lost its conscience.  It’s a shame that so many lack the courage to confront wrong whenever they see it, and to not fit in, to not blend in, and to not compromise.

On His Inspiration:

I have spent the last 36 years of my life preaching the gospel and trying to be a voice for the poor.  My heroes Martin Luther King, Jr., César Chávez, Dorothy Day, and brothers Daniel and Philip Berregan are all people who fought for civil rights for those who did not have a voice. These are my influences.

I learned about Black history from a Black cook in the church where I grew up. She was also my hero.  My sister, who was mentally handicapped, endured such prejudice and hatred and name-calling that I was moved to develop a sensitivity for those who didn’t have a voice.

I was inspired by the work of Black Panthers Mark Clark, Fred Hampton, and Larry Johnson who allowed me to work with them.  Even though I was a White man, they gave me an understanding of the care that they were providing for the community and our personal relationship went beyond the hype.  These leaders were doing more for the poor than the local churches at the time.

[My] great friends are the Rev. Wright, Minister Farrakhan, and Dr. West. Coretta Scott King was a close and very dear friend of mine and she was just a great woman whom I miss deeply. These people all serve as inspirations for my work.

I became a priest because of a Black baptist minister, Dr. King, whom I became obsessed with back in the ’60s, when I got to see him march for open housing here in Chicago.  Although I never met Dr. King personally, I was inspired by the way in which he conducted himself during the march.  He was subjected to horrible name-calling, items were thrown at him, yet he remained calm. I had never been exposed to racism in such depth, and upon seeing the march, it was an immediate reality check.


On How We Continue The Work Of Dr. King:

We need to be consistent with Dr. King’s gospel against non-violence as a way of life and call upon society to choose it as a path.  We must be committed to continue the call for a war on this poverty that is killing people.  Whenever racism raises its head, we should identify it as a societal evil. We should also strive to be successful in changing laws but know that our faith is the ultimate key that is going to change hearts.  To emulate Dr. King means confronting anything that gets in the way of individuals from realizing the justice and equality given to them by God and promised in the Constitution.

Favorite MLK Quote:

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Our honorees are the bridge builders and the nation healers.

CHECK FOR MORE HONOREES AS THEY ARE REVEALED BEFORE MLK DAY HERE.

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Name: Sens Musiq

Age: 31

City of Residence: Los Angeles

Occupation: Inspirational Hip-Hop artist

His Work: Sens looks to uplift and inspire through his rhymes and haircuts.

On His Brotherly Walk With Dr. King:

My non-profit organization “Transcending From The Bottom Up” prepares young men for a future filled with endless prosperity by giving them the tools that it takes to succeed. Regardless of race, religion or gender, we all deserve to be shown an example of Agape love. Circumstances and hardships don’t determine your life’s outcome, but the amount of love that you receive can.  We don’t take the time to show love to our brothers and sisters, and I work diligently every day to do my part to change that.

Cuts-For-Kids, a program under the organization’s umbrella, provides free edge-ups and hair cuts to inner city youth from Los Angeles to San Bernardino, Calif. Every other Saturday, two different barbershops provide the services to about 30 young boys and men.

Our purpose is to increase both income and self-esteem. When researching this endeavor, we calculated that parents spend, on average, $20 to $24 a month, averaging approximately $300 to $400 per year on haircuts. Not only do we want to provide that financial booster, freeing up income for other needs, we also want to provide that confidence booster as well. Dr. King spoke about economic power and collective worth, and I try to implement that philosophy in creative ways that speak to this generation in everything that I do.

On Inspiration:

God and music inspire me to give and be more to not only myself, but to a world of people hurting and searching for something. I became an inspirational hip-hop artist, because I feel like music is the only tool that can reach a person’s spirit and soul without an open invitation. Music can control what we eat, drink, wear, how we converse with each other, our emotions, and moods.

We allow music the opportunity to become a part of our everyday lives, and before you know it, you have become what you are listening to. Most rappers create a fictitious story to add to the persona of their street cred, and I wanted to use my life circumstances as a testimony to bring people out of social economic bondage and not a movie script that keeps people trapped in it. So my lyrics are a combination of continuing to strive, fight, and grow through God’s love, while dealing with issues from politics, religion, and reality.

On How We Can Continue The Work Of MLK:

By continuing Dr. King’s dream and making it a reality, this community will press forward as it always has. Hopefully, with my music speaking to the heart and spirit of the people as we hold on to faith and purpose, I can play a role in changing the mind-set and spirit of those trapped by mediocrity and hopelessness.

Favorite MLK Quote:

First written by this nation’s founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence, then imbued with hope, love, and persistence in Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, the powerful words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” serves as the inspiration for my community outreach and musical career.

Our honorees are the bridge builders and the nation healers.

CHECK FOR MORE HONOREES AS THEY ARE REVEALED BEFORE MLK DAY HERE.

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Name: Ryan Mack

Age: 32

City of Residence: New York

Occupation: Financial Adviser

His Work: Mack facilitates economic empowerment and financial literacy through national workshops and programs.

His Brotherly Walk With Dr. King:

There is a reason I was inspired to create a national 13-city tour called “Less Talk…More Action,” which looks to connect with local organizations that provide services for people in need. There are too many people talking about the problems of society, and too few presenting and implementing solutions. God gave me an ability to communicate the principles of building wealth to multiple demographics, and I have made a commitment to use it as a tangible solution for the economic problems we face.  Whether it is in front of a group of gang members, Harvard University students, low-income families, corporate executives, on CNN, or on CNBC, I am committed to reaching out to ALL people to teach these principles.

On Inspiration:

Dr. King is more than an expensive statue in D.C. (where the funds could have been used to send some needy youth to college). Dr. King represented the adage that “none of us is as strong as all of us.” He understood that the youth were not his competition, but were his asset in the movement. Too few of those who came after him have taken the time he did to make sure that he could effectively pass the torch to the next generation.

Many times I have met those who came after Dr. King and have been met with resistance. Dr. King was never an obstacle to the next generation, but was a bridge for the next generation creating opportunities for others. He represented the best of what this country had to offer and the best way to honor him is not with a march, a moving speech, a status message on Facebook, or a material T-shirt purchased with his face on it. The best way to honor Dr. King is to get up off your *ss and DO SOMETHING to empower not only yourself, but your community. Dr. King was the epitome of “less talk…more action.”

On How We Can Continue The Work Of MLK:

It is problematic for me when we continuously point out what the government is not doing to fix our problems, as opposed to pointing out what we can do to fix our own problems. I am a strong fan of accountability and holding our elected officials accountable, but never should there be a time when we ever hold anybody more accountable for our future than we hold ourselves accountable for our future. Nobody should ever care more about you, than you care about you. Financial literacy is a means of showing through tangible action just how much we love ourselves and communities by doing the right things to empower ourselves and communities.

“I would rather help you than help self. However, I cannot help you until I help self. So that I can better help you, I will help self.” — Ryan Mack

Our honorees are the bridge builders and the nation healers.

CHECK FOR MORE HONOREES AS THEY ARE REVEALED BEFORE MLK DAY HERE.

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Name: Ivory Toldson, PhD

Age: 38

City of Residence: Washington, D.C.

Occupation: Associate professor at Howard University School of Education, senior research analyst for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Negro Education

His Work: As a professor, Dr. Toldson publishes reports that directly challenge the negative statistics of Black America, with a particular focus on the Black male. To Dr. Toldson, we are “living examples of every positive outcome we desire.”

On His Brotherly Walk With Dr. King:

Throughout my life, brotherly love has helped me to remain steadfast and resolute about improving the conditions of black men, despite the negative portrayals of black men in the media. It surprises no one that the black male prison population is larger today than at any point in history.  However, few people know that the black male college population is also larger today than at any point in history.  In addition, the rate increase in college enrollment has expanded for black males over the last 10 years, while the rate increase in incarceration for black males has decreased.

As an educational researcher, instead of looking at the achievement gap between Black and White students, I’d rather look at the academic experiences of high-achieving Black students, particularly those from poor neighborhoods.  Instead of looking at how many Black males with disabilities end up in special education, I’d rather look at how many of them end up in honors classes (about 12 percent).  We have over analyzed Black problems when we have living examples of every positive outcome we desire.  It’s time for Black America to dial down the “crisis” mantra, and lift every voice to a more positive and accurate reflection of our journey. This is not to deny the problems facing the black community, but no people can fix their problems without recognizing their assets.

On His Inspiration:

Most of my work has been inspired by an inmate who lived on the unit in which I worked as a psychology intern 10 years ago.  As if he rehearsed his lines for days and had been building up the nerve to express his point, he marched into my office, sat on the seat before me and said:

I see you walking in here every day, wearing a suit with your briefcase, looking like you’ve
done something with yourself. When I was growing up, I never saw anyone look like you in my neighborhood – a young Black man with a profession. When I was growing up, all I saw was hustlers and dealers and drug fiends. Maybe if I saw you back then, I wouldn’t be here today. So, what I really came here to tell you is, Talk to the kids!

Enamored with the line “talk to the kids,” I repeat it often in public speeches. However, I am not naive to the fact that the Black community needs much more. As an optimist, I believe many problems will be corrected through the universal potential of Black empowerment and the undaunted spirit of a community responding to oppression – admittedly, every day I wonder what that will actually look like.

I’m inspired by the Black male 11th grader who said, ‘Being a young Black male is a blessing that people have tried to make a curse.” But for God’s grace, a lame shot, and the dogged will of my maternal grandfather, I might not exist as I do today.  The white fascist, who shot my grandfather after he became the first Black man to vote in North Louisiana, tried to kill him, his legacy, and his lineage.  But the racists failed. He triumphed and went on to raise my mother, who grew up to
be a champion for Black reparations.  My mother passed the legacy on to me, so in a sense, Black empowerment is my birthright.

On How We Continue The Work Of MLK:

We must continue to fight for educational equity and social justice with faith and conviction, rather than pessimism and ambivalence. We need to work to bring about policies that reduce racial disparities in income and incarceration, and increases equity and inclusion in education. We also need to promote positive parenting practices and provide safety nets for children being reared in impoverished or inadequate family structures.

Most of all, we need to change our tone and tenor of our dialogue about the state of Black America. Martin Luther King did not denigrate or dispirit Black people as a “wake-up” call.  He plotted the path to liberty and instilled hope, faith, and tenacity, while rebuking systemic injustices.  We need to understand and harness our legacy of greatness.  Understand that we have no problem today, which is worse than the problems of yesterday, or beyond our capacity to resolve for tomorrow.

His Favorite MLK Quote:

On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And Vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But Conscience asks the question “Is it right?”
-    MLK, “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” (31 March 1968)