Journalist Bankole Thompson kicks off the first episode of 2025 with a tribute to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose federal holiday falls on January 20—the same day Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated as president.
Reflecting on Dr. King’s profound contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, Thompson reads passages from What Manner of Man, a compelling biography of Dr. King written in the 1960s by renowned historian and journalist Lerone Bennett Jr., former executive editor of Ebony magazine.
Thompson shares his thoughts on the ongoing struggles for civil and human rights, highlighting the urgency of defending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, which are currently under attack by right-wing forces in today’s political climate. He underscores the role of DEI in advancing racial
and economic justice, arguing that honoring Dr. King’s legacy requires preserving these policies and working to level the economic playing field through programs that promote equity.
