Monday, Jan. 17, Americans across the country will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Originally established in 1983, this important day reflects our ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity, and in particular, recognizes Dr. King’s legacy of justice, equity and fairness.
Dr. King’s leadership and activism played a vital role in the passing of two pivotal pieces of civil rights legislation in the 1960s. His nonviolent civil disobedience during the March on Washington helped influence the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that ended segregation and banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, and national origin. The following year, King was instrumental in helping pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which prohibited racial discrimination in voting.
In 1994, MLK Day was designated by Congress as the nation’s first “Day of Service.” Through this federal legislation, Americans across the United States are encouraged to use the holiday for a day of volunteer service in honor of Dr. King.
These values align with who we are, and we are proud to celebrate this day honoring our Black employees and Black history in America. As we commemorate Dr. King’s legacy of equality for all, we encourage you to participate in a local volunteer opportunity or get involved by:
- Participating in the 21 Day Reflection and Connection Challenge found here.
- Become a member of Republic’s business resource group, the Black Employee Network.