MBN USA

April 02, 2024

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Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 initiative continues MLK's focus on social and environmental justice

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day) is a federal holiday that honors the life and legacy of the renowned civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. King's tireless efforts to advance racial equity and socioeconomic justice continue with the Biden-Harris Administration's renewed commitment to environmental justice through the Justice40 initiative and acquisition of equity.

King, universally known for his role as the leader of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, has become a global staple.-- evidenced by MLK Day celebrated around the world.  Through nonviolent protests, marches, and speeches, King called attention to societal injustices.  His push for landmark civil rights legislation –  the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – paved the way for the current legislation initiatives that the nation enjoys in 2024, despite more recent push-back by the Eighth Circuit Court decision just before Thanksgiving. King’s "I Have a Dream" speech during the 1963 March on Washington galvanized the nation and defined what worked in the quest for equal rights, despite modern-day attempts to reverse progress.

As a result of King’s leadership in building a coalition of civil rights game changers on behalf of what we know as the Poor People’s Campaign, we are now in 2024 benefitting from the Biden-Harris Administration Executive Orders that relive the Dream and the struggle.  In 2024, our reflection shifts focus away from race, and brings attention to the power of innovation, collaboration and the opportunity to meet the nation’s rising demand to ensure that all people, every community, all races, creeds, colors, and gender become prepared for the new economy currently being driven by AI, the climate change driven energy transition, quantum physics, digitalization, modernization, and 21st Century workforce development requirements.  We are adjusting to and learning to use technology that did not exist in the form that it does today when King led marches and protests.  Today’s innovation is amazingly driving a reduction in energy costs, advancing a cleaner planet, and enabling global communication between all people. King ignited the idea and inspired a new generation of leaders who today have effectively proven that King’s Dream in the 60’s was critical to setting the stage for 2024’s global movement.

A movement driven not by marches and protests, but by the leveraging of technology, the power of public policy that advances economic equity and environmental justice.  The beneficiaries of this new innovation movement include rural communities lacking broadband access, and underserved urban centers with all too many food deserts. King campaigned against conflict and war, specifically in his day, the Vietnam War; today, the MBDA Federal Procurement Center is partnering with the Defense Leadership Forum to advocate for the Defense Equity Action Plan.  And despite King’s assassination in Memphis at the young age of 39, today, 50 years later, Executive Orders 13985 and 14008 are carrying on his fight for justice, and helping ensure his impact on our world today.

Carrying on the fight for justice

While significant progress has been made possible by the sacrifices of pioneers like King, injustice and inequality persist in marginalized communities. Studies show that minorities face higher rates of poverty, unemployment, incarceration, and pollution burdens.  The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these disparities. However, King's legacy has fueled the ongoing movement for social, economic, and environmental justice.  In 2024, America is prepared to look at the data and take action to formulate solutions.

One critical step in advancing King's vision is President Biden's Justice40 initiative. Justice40 aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from Federal investments in climate, clean energy and infrastructure to underserved communities.  These communities include low-income and minority neighborhoods that are disproportionately impacted by pollution and the effects of climate change.

Justice40 seeks to rectify years of environmental racism, where policies and practices resulted in minority, tribal and poor communities bearing greater environmental and health risks.  By directing funding and support to these communities, Justice40 will create good-paying jobs, clean up toxic pollution, reduce utility and transportation costs, improve public transit and make communities more resilient to flooding, wildfires and other climate impacts.

Inspiring action for an equitable future

Let us reflect on how far we've come in the fight for justice, while also recognizing how much work remains to be done. King's vision of a just society where all people are treated with dignity remains unfinished. Income and wealth gaps are widening, racial injustices still occur, and the climate crisis threatens the most vulnerable communities.

But King showed us that progress happens when ordinary citizens come together and demand it. His legacy calls on all Americans to speak out against injustice and work to build a society of true equality. Paying tribute to King isn't just about honoring the past – it's about finding inspiration to act today.

The MBDA Federal Procurement Center honors King's legacy by leveraging procurement opportunities to increase diversity and participation by disadvantaged businesses. Mentorship programs, training workshops and targeted outreach help minority-owned firms overcome systemic barriers.

Moving towards an equitable and just future

While MLK Day recognizes the triumphs of the past, its true purpose is to mobilize action for the future. Each of us can contribute in small ways – having conversations on racial justice, writing to elected officials, supporting minority-owned businesses, or joining local activism groups.  These individual acts add up to real change.