Learning From Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Maybe it’s the solace and peace of the winter, especially set against the contrast and noise of everything happening in the world, but lately I’ve found myself being more reflective, especially today as we celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. 

It’s important that we pause and recognize his deep commitment to pursuing equality and providing a brighter future for human beings. One of my favorite quotes from King is, “The time is always right to do what is right.” I believe we all must do more to ensure equality so that everyone can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities of this great country.

As a member of the Duluth community, as the leader of maurices – an amazing retail organization --as a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and most importantly, as a human being, my first action is simply committing to doing better. For me, this means learning, understanding, having the hard conversations, and seeking out diverse views. It also means making sure that I am leading by example and supporting everyone with compassion and humility. 

Most of all, however, I’m honoring Dr. King by taking his cues of courage, resilience, optimism and peace to be an active participant in the change we all want to see in this world.