As we celebrate the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, we asked a few of our staff and participant colleagues to share some reflections. What emerged are powerful statements touching on the unfinished work of racial and social justice, the importance of CEO’s mission and enduring legacy of Dr. King’s example.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in people. He acknowledged the divisions that kept us apart and harmed our national character but had confidence that each one of us sought greater unity and equality. He recognized that racism and inequality can never be accepted. We must meet intolerance with education and action to come to a solution. My hope is that we are able to abandon our focus on the comforts of personal prosperity, and instead embrace fidelity to social justice and equality for all. When a life has suffered injustice at the hands of another, no person goes untouched by the repercussions -- Given recent events, we see that now more than ever.

CEO is a catalyst for the transformation needed to change our justice system. It’s essential that we continue to advocate for more investment in reentry services, access to employment and economic mobility for people with past convictions. Our job seekers possess the very resilience, courage and willingness to learn and grow that makes them great employees. By connecting our job seekers to our employers, CEO is making a difference everyday. I am so honored to be a part of it.

Dr. King worked to bring people together to create a more just and equitable world. He believed that access to a job created dignity and strengthened the bonds we all share. Our work at CEO is about connecting people. Through greater connection, we can all create a unity founded in love that has the power to alleviate the injustices that threaten the very future of our world. A world full of life, and lives, that we must protect.