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Event: The Beloved Community: MLK’s Legacy and Our Role Today
Date: Thursday, February 27th, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM ET
Location: Virtual via ZOOM

View the event on our YouTube channel here.

About the Event:

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Peace Through Action USA hosted The Beloved Community: MLK’s Legacy & Our Role Today, a free virtual event exploring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a just and inclusive society.

While MLK is often remembered for his powerful speeches, this event went beyond his words to explore actionable steps for building the Beloved Community today.

Led by Peace Through Action USA’s Director of Programs and Partnerships Chris Walonski, participants:

• Explored MLK’s philosophy of nonviolence, social cohesion, and justice.
• Examined the major challenges MLK faced, including segregation, economic injustice, and political opposition.
• Discussed modern barriers preventing communities from realizing MLK’s dream.
• Reviewed 8 tangible strategies for building a more just and inclusive society.
• Engaged participants in a collaborative breakout discussion to identify solutions for their own communities.
• Surveyed real-world examples of nonviolent action, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to community-led restorative justice initiatives.

This event encouraged participants to rethink justice and take practical steps toward MLK’s vision of a society built on dignity, justice, and love.

Learn More About Organizations Advancing MLK’s Legacy

The following organizations continue Dr. King’s work by promoting nonviolence, justice, and community-building. Explore their resources to deepen your understanding of MLK’s vision and take action in your own community.

• The King Center – Founded by Coretta Scott King, The King Center works to advance Dr. King’s philosophy and methodology of nonviolence through education, advocacy, and training programs.
• The Highlander Research & Education Center – A historic social justice training center that has empowered civil rights leaders, including Rosa Parks and Dr. King, in organizing for racial, economic, and social justice.
• The Beloved Community Initiative – A program dedicated to promoting MLK’s vision through grassroots organizing, service projects, and conflict resolution training.
• Pace e Bene – An organization dedicated to fostering nonviolent action for justice, peace, and transformation through education, training, and direct action campaigns. Pace e Bene is also the driving force behind the Nonviolent Cities Project, which works to help communities apply MLK’s vision locally.

Explore their resources to deepen your understanding of MLK’s principles and take action in your own community!

Resources:

• Read:

  • Letter from a Birmingham Jail – Dr. King’s powerful defense of nonviolent resistance and the urgency of justice.

  • Stride Toward Freedom – MLK’s firsthand account of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the foundations of nonviolent resistance.

• Watch:

  • MLK’s “I Have a Dream” Speech – Relive Dr. King’s most famous speech, delivered at the March on Washington in 1963.

  • The King Center’s “Nonviolence365” Program – A video series on MLK’s six principles of nonviolence and their relevance today.

• Listen:

  • The King Center’s “Beloved Community Talks” – A podcast featuring real-world conversations on justice, nonviolence, and community healing.

  • Teaching Hard History: The Civil Rights Movement – A podcast episode unpacking how MLK’s activism shaped the struggle for justice in America.

• Discover:

  • The Center for Applied Nonviolence Toolkit – A practical guide for applying nonviolent action in social justice efforts.

  • The Highlander Center’s Cultural Organizing Resources – Strategies for grassroots activism, inspired by MLK’s training at Highlander.

  • Pace e Bene’s Nonviolent Cities Project – A blueprint for building peace-driven communities through MLK’s principles of nonviolence.

How to View:

• View the event recording and subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

Don’t miss this important event! View the event recording to view the conversation and take action.