A Time of Reflection and Activation

Matthew Reeds
2 min readFeb 28, 2021

Dear Family and Friends,

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. faced turmoil in his tireless pursuit of equality for all — yet he remained a formidable leader during the Civil Rights Movement. His fearlessness in the face of controversy, while exemplifying diligence and grace, continues to inspire generations today, More than half a century later we recognize not only Dr. King, but also the unwavering principles that he and many fought for that continue to leave a call to action.

Dr. King dreamt for the day in which every American, regardless of race, gender, or class could have the ability to call themselves equal. His non-violent rhetoric has inspired countless generations of social justice leaders to unwaveringly push back against the oppressive norms of society.

With greater reason, we must carefully look upon our current political environment, and collectively push back against the oppressive rhetoric, the unorthodox and sometimes violent behaviors within our communities, and the injustice happening in front of us.

As we honor and reflect upon the legacy of Dr. King we should look upon our neighbors, our friends, and our families and encourage them to continue the legacy left behind for us. We as a community must not forget that our freedom, and our rights are inherently connected to the freedom and rights of others. The life of Dr. King truly reminds us that we must learn from the teachings of our past, so that we can ensure a future that holds opportunity, equality and justice for all.

The Reeds Fund wishes to build upon this immense legacy. We educate, advocate, and liberate families in Baltimore who need it most. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a crucial right of all, not to some. As communities around the world deal with varied and diverse challenges, the mental health and well-being of our community remains paramount. This requires the deployment of resources in both the private and public sectors to fully address these challenges. Communities able to meet at the cross-sections of philanthropy, education, and non-profit spaces create more resource sustainability and accountability, fostering strong social responsibility and deep trust among all stakeholders involved.

Each and every one of us has a unique and God-inspired calling on our lives to steward our gifts in the form of genuine service to the rest of the world, and to guide others in finding their own highest calling. With a genuine appreciation of diverse backgrounds and skill-sets, we can leverage our resources to positively impact the world and create more sustainable communities.

--

--