Tell them about The Dream, Martin."

This year, on MLKs national day of remembrance, we need to especially remember his gift to us. A gift that demonstrated how one man could inspire so many with an endless capacity for grace, for hope, and for dreaming of what could be - and of what should be.

"Nineteen sixty-three is not an end but a beginning."

In the profound tapestry of our shared history, the year 2023 cast a shadow of sorrow and remorse upon us, marred by the disunity sowed by social divisions. As we reflect on this past year, let us remember the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a beacon of hope and a tireless advocate for equality.

"Nineteen sixty-three is not an end but a beginning."

On that historic August day in 1963, Martin Luther King stood resolute on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, clad in a dark suit, white shirt, and black tie. His presence radiated power, hope, and a profound sense of sorrow for the challenges faced by the nation. In the midst of a "sweltering summer of discontent," he articulated a longing for an oasis of freedom and justice that touched the hearts and souls of the nation.

King's words echoed the dreams and aspirations of a movement seeking equality and justice. It was a moment when passion, vision, and dreams converged to shape the destiny of a nation.

Clarence B. Jones, King's speechwriter, shares the story of the speech's evolution, born from the collaboration of seven constituent groups at the Willard Hotel the night before. Together, they crafted the elements of the message that would resonate on that historic day.

At the Lincoln Memorial, as King began reading from the prepared text, a transformative moment occurred. In the midst of the speech, Mahalia Jackson, the 'Queen of Gospel,' recognized the need for King to share his dream. With a resounding voice, she urged him, "Tell ‘em about the ‘dream.’"

The iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, an amalgamation of various speeches, drew inspiration from diverse sources, including Prathia Hall's impassioned words at the site of a burned-down African American church. King, a masterful orator, wove these inspirations seamlessly into his message, invoking the words of Isaiah and drawing parallels to the Gettysburg address.

As King passionately declared, "I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice." His vision extended to a nation where individuals would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

In that transformative moment, King veered from his prepared notes, speaking from the heart with a fervor that resonated through history. Lincoln's words at Gettysburg were historic, but on that August day, with the spirit of Lincoln looking over his shoulder, King added a layer of religious, prophetical, and theatrical magic.

"Tell 'em about 'The Dream,' Martin."

"I have a dream today."

Let us revisit that dream, not as a relic of the past, but as a call to action, a reminder that the pursuit of justice and equality is an ongoing journey. In the spirit of respect, passion, and equality, let us continue to echo King's dream, ensuring that it reverberates through the ages, inspiring generations yet to come.