As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I want to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this important day that calls us not to rest, but to action. Dr. King’s vision was never about comfort or idle admiration; it was about courage, commitment, and service. This day is a reminder that justice is not a distant ideal, but a living reality shaped by each of us in our daily lives.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a Day of Service. It is an opportunity for all of us to step up and make a tangible difference in our communities. Far too many families here face food insecurity, seniors struggle to afford essential medications, and young people yearn for guidance and hope. These are not abstract issues; they are urgent calls to action that require our participation, our hands, and our hearts.
Dr. King taught us that service is love made visible. It is the foundation upon which a just and equitable society is built. This beloved community thrives when we volunteer at food banks, support local nonprofits, check on our neighbors, mentor youth, and listen when empathy feels difficult. Every act of service, no matter how small, contributes to building a community where dignity, justice, and shared responsibility flourish.
This is not about charity; it is about human dignity and interconnectedness. When we serve one another, we recognize that our well-being is linked and that progress happens when we work together. Let us honor Dr. King by moving beyond words—by rolling up our sleeves and answering the call to serve, because service is necessary, powerful, and transformative.
In his final sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct,” Dr. King said, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace.” Each one of us has that heart. Each one of us has the power to be great through service.
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I encourage you to join me in making a difference right here in Washington State. Together, through our daily acts of service, we can create a community that embodies justice and love Dr. King dreamed of—a beloved community, one act, one family, one neighbor at a time.
Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy by turning compassion into action. We need you.
Ahndrea Blue, Esquire is President and CEO is of the Making a Difference Foundation. To learn more about the organization, go to www.themadfseattle.org.