Today marks the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Dr. King’s dream was to achieve social and economic justice for all, and his vision of a world free of discrimination and poverty still resonates with us today. Although his life was cut short, due to hatred, misguidance, and cultural confusion, his legacy continues to inspire us to work towards building a better world, especially for the poor, middle class, and invisible class. 

After years of leading the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King began to pivot his focus towards economic inclusion and empowerment, which I call the Silver Rights Movement. He understood that achieving social justice was incomplete without economic justice. He recognized that poverty was a significant barrier to true freedom and the American Dream. He believed that access to economic opportunity was crucial to achieving true equality. Sadly, his work in this area was left unfinished. 

Today, organizations like Operation HOPE have taken up the baton in the fight for economic inclusion and empowerment. Through programs like the 1MBB initiative, the Atlanta Child Savings Account (CSA) program, and HOPE’s credit and money management, homeownership, and small business development programs, Operation HOPE is working to advance Dr. King’s vision of economic justice, regardless of race, color, or political affiliation. 

The 1MBB initiative, which stands for One Million Black Business Initiative, aims to create one million new Black-owned businesses over the next ten years. This ambitious initiative is designed to provide Black entrepreneurs with access to the tools and resources they need to start and grow successful businesses. By promoting economic opportunity and entrepreneurship within the Black community, Operation HOPE is helping to create a more equitable and prosperous society. 

The Atlanta Child Savings Account program is another example of Operation HOPE’s commitment to economic inclusion. This program provides every child born in Atlanta with a $1000 savings account to help them start building wealth from an early age. By giving children and families the tools they need to save and invest in their future, Operation HOPE is working to break the cycle of poverty and create a more financially secure community. 

In addition to these programs, Operation HOPE’s flagship programs—credit and money management, homeownership, and small business development services— are all aimed at empowering individuals and communities to achieve economic success. By providing access to financial education, credit coaching, and other resources, Operation HOPE is helping to build a more financially literate and stable society. 

Agents of ill-will may have taken the life of the Dreamer, but they’ll never be able to kill the Dream, so long as people like you and me continue to carry on the work and raise awareness and consciousness about financial literacy. Although there is still much work to be done, we can take heart in the progress that has been made and the continued commitment to achieving Dr. King’s vision of a more just and equitable world. On this anniversary of his assassination, let us recommit ourselves to the work of building a better future for all.

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