Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

JANUARY 15, 1929 ( Atlanta, GA) – APRIL 4, 1968 ( Memphis, TN)

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” 

Letter from a Birmingham Jail. April 16, 1963.

• 1963 Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech at the March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The speech took place before a massive gathering of more than 250,000 people from diverse races, ages, nationalities, religions, and backgrounds.
• 1964 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize for his steadfast work on the civil rights movement. 
• 1968 After delivering his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. King was assassinated.   
• 1985 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was observed in the United States for the first time. It is now celebrated in Japan, Canada, the Netherlands, and Dr. King is recognized around the world as a crusader for justice and equality.

As we face the continued global pandemic, as well as political, social, and economic challenges, let us take time to reflect on civil rights and human rights issues across the globe. Most importantly, let us honor Dr. King’s values and actively employ our skills as mediators to move us toward his ideal of a “Beloved Community”.

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee

Gail Wright Sirmans, Chair

Orit Ansin, Eleanor Barr, Earlene Baggett Hayes, James Mangerere, Joyce Mitchell, Andrea Morrison, Marvin Johnson, Jeff Krivis, Peter Meyers, and Paul Monicatti, Ex-Officio

“The International Academy of Mediators Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion recognizes that differences in perspectives, experiences, capabilities, and style are crucial to managing organizations and to providing mediation services in our diverse, complex and evolving global community. In this spirit, IAM is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in its membership structure and organizational work regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status.”