Honoring the Life and Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. January 19,2026
Today, we pause to honor the life, leadership, and enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — a visionary whose courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice continue to shape our nation and guide our work.
Dr. King often spoke of the power of community, and it is important to remember that great leaders are great not in isolation, but because of the villages that surround, sustain, and carry them forward. For Dr. King, that village included the extraordinary love, leadership, and sacrifice of Coretta Scott King, his wife and partner in justice, and Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, his daughter, who continues to courageously carry his legacy forward. Their stewardship reminds us that movements are sustained through care, conviction, and generations of shared responsibility.
Dr. King taught us that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” At Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, this truth lives at the core of our mission. Every day, we walk alongside survivors whose experiences are shaped by injustice, inequity, and systems that too often fail to protect the most vulnerable among us. Like Dr. King, we believe dignity is not something to be earned — it is a fundamental human right.
On this day of reflection and service, we recommit ourselves to Dr. King’s call to action: to speak up when silence is easier, to show up when the work is difficult, and to stand together in pursuit of equity, dignity, and hope. We are honored to continue this work alongside survivors, partners, and communities who share in the vision of a world where all people are safe, valued, and free.
Celebrating His & Herstory!
Nicole McKinney-Johnson