Raising Awareness of the MLK Memorial in Washington, D.C.: The Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Last year, we began featuring organizations who are working towards making outdoor spaces more accessible for underrepresented population demographics.
With January being the month that celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday honoring the life and legacy of one of the nation’s greatest civil rights leaders, we’re kicking off the new year featuring The Memorial Foundation.
You can read about this organization’s history and vision and find the donation link at the end of this blog post.
It’s no secret that 2020 shed light on our country’s ongoing injustices and systemic racism, but as Martin Luther King, Jr. himself said: “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Credit: NPS / Rachel Hendrix
About The Memorial Foundation, Inc.
In 1983, members of Dr. King’s fraternity had the idea of building a memorial in honor of the late activist. In the late 1990s, Congress authorized the fraternity to build the memorial on public lands in Washington, D.C. and establish a non-profit foundation to raise the funds.
In 2011, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was completed and stands on the National Mall. Now managed by the National Park Service, it is one of many NPS sites that commemorate and preserve African American history and heritage. Thousands of people joined President Barack Obama as he made the official dedication.
In the words of the foundation on its mission and vision: “The Memorial Foundation, Inc. exists to promote awareness of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial located in Washington, D.C. and its tenets of democracy, justice, hope and love, as well as to support the general upkeep of the Memorial in future years. Our vision is of a world in which the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial serves as a beacon that inspires people around the globe to apply the principles of democracy, justice, hope and love.”
Millions of people from around the globe have visited the Memorial and have read some of his most famous words that are engraved on the 453-feet Inscription Wall, inspiring people of all walks of life to keep Dr. King’s vision alive.
“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Credit: NPS / Bill Shugarts
Programs
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Global Youth Leadership Conference
A two-day learning event held in several cities across the USA. The program accepts the most highly qualified high school students from each city.
During the conference, the students examine leadership principles advocated by Martin Luther King, Jr. and acquire the knowledge and skills to enact change in their lives and communities. Upon completion of the program, the participants receive the title of Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar.
Conversation Series
This program provides a network to bring Leaders of Democracy together through social media, meetings and events to share ideas. This collective effort is intended to fulfill Dr. King’s legacy of democracy, justice, hope and love and the mission of the Memorial Foundation.
Events at the Stone of Hope
The Memorial Foundation hosts a brief program at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial twice a year, to commemorate the life and death of Dr. King. The events occur on Dr. King’s national holiday in January and on the anniversary of his assassination in April.
Both programs are open to the public and are celebrated with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Stone of Hope. There is also a summer film series during the warmer months. This year on October 15-17, the 10 Year Anniversary of the Opening of the Memorial will be celebrated.
“If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Credit: NPS
Support and Donate
Please consider supporting this organization directly. Donations can be made in the following way and are tax-deductible:
Donate
Donations to The Memorial Foundation allow the organization to continue the important work of realizing Dr. King’s vision with the memorial and programs inspiring people around the globe to apply the principles of democracy, justice, hope and love.
Follow The Memorial Foundation
- Website: https://www.thememorialfoundation.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thememorialfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofthememorial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MemFoundation
You Can Help Bridge the Race Gap in the Outdoor Industry
An overview of organizations we have supported can be found here. This document contains information about what these organizations are doing and how you can donate to them directly.
We also set up a submission form you can use if you know an organization that’s working to make the outdoors more diverse and inclusive. If you want to see them supported, please submit via this form.