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APRI President Participates in Weekend of King Holiday Observations

(A. Philip Randolph Institute)

In celebration of the Martin Luther King Holiday, the Americans for Democratic Action Education Fund sponsored its annual forum, “What Would Martin Do?” to address the question of how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., might approach critical policy issues facing the country in the 21st Century.

Clayola Brown, President, A. Philip Randolph Institute, was invited to participate with a panel of distinguished speakers at the event, which was held in the Rayburn House Office Building on Friday, January 14, 2011.  In addition to APRI’s President Clayola Brown, the panel included Hilary Shelton, NAACP Washington Bureau Director and Sr. Vice President of Advocacy; Hon. Harris Wofford, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, advisor to Dr. King and Special Assistant to the President for civil rights issues during the Kennedy Administration; Hon. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland; and the Rev. Douglas Tanner, Founder and Director, Faith & Politics Institute.  The thought provoking discussion was moderated by Ms. Candy Shannon, Broadcaster, WPFW-FM 89.3.

The Capital Hill event was broadcasted in its entirety by CSPAN—the video can be viewed at: Martin Luther King and Current Public Policy - Jan 14, 2011

The transcript of President Brown’s remarks are recorded below: Remarks by Clayola Brown, President, A. Philip Randolph Institute - “What Would Martin Do?” - ADA Panel Discussion

In addition, President Brown had the honor of serving as the keynote speaker for the  “Preserving the Legacy” 36th Annual Memorial Breakfast hosted by  Kings Landing Women Service Club in Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, January 17, 2010 to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The event is the oldest celebration of its kind on the East Coast and was founded over three decades ago to celebrate the life and teachings of Dr. King.

We should be reminded by the numerous celebratory events of Monday, January 17, 2011 that the principles by which Dr. King lived continue to serve as a beacon to guide us in our advocacy work and our service to our fellow man.