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3 Ideas for Taking Action on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 8, 2023, Jasmin Robinson
Jasmin Robinson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives with The Association, shares how to have more than a dream next Monday, January 16.
Every third Monday in January, many U.S. Americans take off from their jobs to observe the federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For many, this day is seen as an opportunity to honor the life and legacy of one of the most iconic figures in civil rights history. But how can we take advantage of this day of observance?
One word. Action. Here are three ways to move from reflection to action and support Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream for equality.
- Volunteer your time. Many community-based organizations are in need of volunteers to assist with providing services. One of the main ways Reverend Dr. King made an impact was in large part due to community organizing. Check out local job boards, library boards or go online and complete a search to sign up and volunteer your time. BONUS: invite family and friends and make it an annual day of service.
- Educate. Unfortunately, there is a wide gap in the animal welfare profession and its support for underserved communities. Spend the day learning about the disparities affecting racially minoritized communities and animal welfare. This program spotlight from Best Friends Network Partners outlines 6 ways for reducing racism in animal welfare. You may also be interested in Antiracism in Animal Advocacy, a book that explores racial equity practices in animal welfare. BONUS: Make it a reading club and share ideas.
- Donate to a cause. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, incidents of bias against people based on race, ethnicity, and ancestry increased 32% from 2019 to 2020. This statistic supports an opportunity for communities to recommit to obtaining civil liberties for all. Consider donating to national organizations such as the NAACP, ACLU, and AAOI Equity Alliance, or identify a local organization to support.
Help keep Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream alive and take action today.
Join Jasmin and colleague Maria Morukian of MSM Global Consulting on January 18 as they present Breaking Down “Us vs. Them” Thinking to Build Stronger Connections.
Photo: Unseen Histories/Unsplash
About Jasmin Robinson
As Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives with The Association, Jasmin Robinson is part of the team working on DEI in animal welfare spaces. Jasmin is a consultant, educator, and equity thought partner with over 12 years of professional experience. She primarily supports higher education institutions, k-12 schools, and nonprofit organizations with diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic planning, program development, trainings, and facilitation. Jasmin is a certified qualified administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory, LLC. In addition, she is a member of the Illinois Diversity Council (ILDC), Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE). Jasmin is completing a Ph.D. in Educational Administration, and her research interest include Black women experiences in historically white spaces, anti-Blackness, and cultural competence. In her spare time, Jasmin enjoys cooking, walking, thrifting, and brunch spots in the Chicagoland area.
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