By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Communities across the country continue to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in diverse and meaningful ways.
From volunteer service projects and educational programs to faith-based gatherings and policy advocacy, Black Americans reflect on his legacy and highlight the ways in which people are carrying forward his vision.
A key aspect of King’s message was ensuring equity for all Americans. That work continues through leaders like Kaci Patterson, founder and chief architect of Social Good Solutions, a Black woman-owned firm in Los Angeles that supports Black-led nonprofits through equity-centered grantmaking and community-driven design.
“Honoring King means preserving the legacy through action,” said Patterson. “Dr. King taught that true justice requires structural change, and that’s the core of our work at Social Good Solutions (SGS). We’ve raised more than $70 million for social justice initiatives across California, driving $335 million in economic impact and supporting thousands of jobs.”
Patterson emphasized that the work of Black-led nonprofits, like the ones supported by SGS, reflect King’s vision daily by building systems of community care, developing grassroots leadership and advocating for structural opportunities that strengthen entire communities.
“At its core, his work was a fight to redistribute power in ways that make justice permanent for Black people in America,” said Patterson. “His teachings live on through our perseverance and deep belief that racial justice is love in action and must be the framework of every program and policy we are building for our future.”