“The time is always right to do what is right.”
I entered kindergarten in the fall of 1968 at what was then the newly rechristened Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, an institution that continues to educate a diverse population in the Mount Hope neighborhood in Providence. King was assassinated the previous spring, and shortly after his death, the school adopted his name and mission.
My kindergarten class was the first fully desegregated grade in Providence, an opportunity not lost on forward-thinking educators. King’s legacy was celebrated throughout my elementary school years, providing me with at least a marginal appreciation of the Civil Rights Movement from an early age. Fifty-seven years later, the school remains a vibrant community comprised of students and faculty who continue to build on King’s legacy.
I later attended Boston University, where King earned his Ph.D. prior to his appointment as Minister of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in 1955. Along with Rosa Parks and others, he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott at age 26, just six months after receiving his degree. MLK has been a worthy hero since I understood the concept of heroism – I became an educator and writer to further his message of tolerance, understanding, and racial harmony.
In a complex landscape, with seemingly unending division, King’s message of unity and brotherhood is indeed more relevant than ever. Now is the time to continue the fight against prejudice, discrimination, and intolerance. On MLK Day 2025, the challenge is to once again listen to his words and be inspired by his message.
Below are a few ways to celebrate King’s legacy in Newport on Monday:
Annual Torch Run for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Birthday Celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Luncheon to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Celebration at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center
