Judge Beau Miller -- Official Swearing-in Tuesday, January 1, 2019

HISTORICAL DOCUMENT

“Men and Women everywhere, regardless of color or creed, are equal members of the human family.”— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This Moment in Texas History...

District Judge Beau Miller

Meet the Presiding Judge for the 190th Judicial District Court in Harris County, Texas

www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com

2

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE BEAU MILLER UNSEATED JUDGE DEBRA IBARRA MAYFIELD TO BECOME THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE 190TH DISTRICT COURT IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

Beau Miller ran for District Judge for the 190th District Court in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, to make sure that everyone has fair access to the courts and a fair shake when they get there. By unseating Republican Judge Debra Ibarra Mayfield, litigants will now get the opportunity to do just that. In case you don’t know, Judge Beau Miller has extensive experience in complex litigation and a proven track record of promoting diversity in the legal profession. Before running for the 190th Judicial District Court bench, He founded a non-profit organization aimed at fighting to end the stigma of HIV in our local communities.

Unseating one of the toughest, most well-known Republican Judges on the entire ballot wasn’t easy! But Beau accomplished his goal of becoming the Presiding Judge for the 190th Judicial District Court, by garnering 642,637 votes, for 54.42 percent of the vote. Comparatively speaking, Judge Debra Ibarra Mayfield only garnered 538,285 votes, for 45.58% of the vote in her losing bid for re-election.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

3

®

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Our Bill of Rights was Proposed in 1789 and enacted on Thursday, December 15, 1791

1st Amendment: Protects the people's right to practice religion, to speak freely, to assemble (meet), to address the government and of the press to publish.

2nd Amendment: Protects the right to own guns.

3rd Amendment: Guarantees that the army cannot force homeowners to give them room and board.

4th Amendment: Protects the people from the government improperly taking property, papers, or people, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason).

5th Amendment: Protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly indicted, that they may not be tried twice for the same crime, and that you need not be forced to testify against yourself. It also contains due process guarantees.

6th Amendment: Guarantees a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and that the accused can confront witnesses against them, and that the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer.

7th Amendment: Guarantees a jury trial in federal civil court cases. This type of case is normally no longer heard in federal court.

8th Amendment: Guarantees that punishments will be fair, and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set.

9th Amendment: Simply a statement that other rights aside from those listed may exist, and just because they are not listed doesn't mean they can be violated.

10th Amendment: Says that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states.

These amendments passed once the United States Constitution was adopted.

11th Amendment - Enacted on February 7, 1795 — Says how someone from one state can sue another state.

12th Amendment - Enacted on June 15, 1804 — Redefines how the President and Vice-President are chosen by the Electoral College.

13th Amendment - Enacted on December 6, 1865 — Abolished slavery in the entire United States.

14th Amendment - Enacted on July 9, 1868 — People had rights on the federal level and on the state level, too.

Dealt with civil war items.

15th Amendment - Enacted on February 3, 1870 — Ensured that a person’s race could not be used as criteria for voting.

16th Amendment - Enacted on February 3, 1913 — Authorizes the United States to collect income taxes.

17th Amendment - Enacted on April 8, 1913 — Shifted the choosing of Senators from the state legislatures to the people of the states.

18th Amendment - Enacted on January 16, 1919 — Abolished the sale or manufacture of alcohol in the United States.

19th Amendment - Enacted on August 18, 1920 — Ensures that sex could not be used as a criteria for voting.

20th Amendment - Enacted on January 23, 1933 — Set new start dates for the terms of the Congress and the President.

21st Amendment - Enacted on December 5, 1933 — Repealed the 18th Amendment.

22nd Amendment - Enacted on February 27, 1951 — Set a limit on the number of times a President could be elected - two fouryear terms.

23rd Amendment - Enacted on March 29, 1961 — Grants the Washington D.C. the right to three electors in Presidential elections.

24th Amendment - Enacted on January 23, 1964 — Ensured that no tax could be charged to vote for any federal office.

25th Amendment - Enacted on February 10, 1967 — Establishes rules for a President who becomes unable to perform his duties while in office.

26th Amendment - Enacted on July 1, 1971 — Ensures that any person 18 or over may vote.

27th Amendment - Enacted on May 7, 1992 — Any law that increased the pay of legislators may not take effect until after an election.

Aubrey R. Taylor Communications is the publisher of Ground-Game Magazine® and Houston Business Connections Newspaper® . No information contained herein may be reprinted or published in any other form without our expressed written permission.The mission of Houston Business Connections Magazine© is to assist our readers with identifying corporations, public servants, small business owners, and other entities who value our support as we endeavor to inform, empower and motivate our readers to actively participate in the process of cooperative economics and positive voter engagement. Call (832)212-8735 or (281)788-3033 if you need assistance with your branding, marketing or advertising needs!

6

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE CASSANDRA Y. HOLLEMON DEFEATED JOHN SPJUT BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Cassandra Y. Hollemon would have still defeated Republican John Spjut in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 12 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Cassandra Y. Hollemon received 654,552 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 139,794 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straightticket votes, John Spjut received from his overall vote total of 522,277 you come up with 112,217 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Cassandra Y. Hollemon and John Spjut, she would have still defeated him by approximately 27,577 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

7

8

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE LATOSHA LEWIS PAYNE UNSEATED JUDGE JEFF SHADWICK BACK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Latosha Lewis Payne would have still defeated Republican Judge Jeff Shadwick in the race for District Judge, 55th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Latosha Lewis Payne received 647,271 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 132,513 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straightticket votes, Jeff Shadwick received from his overall vote total of 534,703 you come up with 124,643 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Latosha Lewis Payne and Judge Jeff Shadwick, she would have still defeated him by approximately 7,870 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

9

10

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE ERICA HUGHES UNSEATED JUDGE NATALIE C. FLEMING BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Erica Hughes would have still defeated Republican Judge Natalie C. Fleming in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 3 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Erica Hughes received 657,806 overall votes.

When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 143,048 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge Natalie C. Fleming received from her overall vote total of 520,843 you come up with 110,783 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straightticket votes received by Erica Hughes and Judge Natalie C. Fleming, she would have still defeated Judge Fleming by approximately 32,265 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

11

12

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE SHANNON BALDWIN UNSEATED JUDGE JOHN CLINTON BACK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Shannon Baldwin would have still defeated Republican Judge John Clinton in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 4 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Shannon Baldwin received 665,754 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 150,996 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge John Clinton received from his overall vote total of 512,650 you come up with 102,590 votes.

So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Shannon Baldwin and Judge John Clinton, she would have still defeated him by approximately 48,406 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

13

14

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE ABIGAIL ANASTASIO DEFEATED FORMER JUDGE RENEE MAGEE BACK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Abigail Anastasio would have still defeated Former Republican Judge Renee Magee in the race for District Judge, 184th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Abigail Anastasio received 652,205 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 137,447 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straightticket votes, Former Judge Renee Magee received from her overall vote total of 529,350 you come up with 119,290 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Abigail Anastasio and Former Judge Renee Magee, she would have still defeated Former Judge Magee by approximately 18,187 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

15

16

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE DEDRA DAVIS UNSEATED JUDGE BRENT GAMBLE BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Dedra Davis would have still defeated Republican Judge Brent Gamble in the race for District Judge, 270th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Dedra Davis received 650,479 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straightticket votes, you come up with 135,721 votes.

Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Brent Gamble received from his overall vote total of 529,704 you come up with 119,644 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Dedra Davis and Judge Brent Gamble, she would have still defeated him by approximately 16,077 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

17

18

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE DONNA ROTH DEFEATED MICHELLE FRAGA BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Donna Roth would have still defeated Republican Michelle Fraga in the race for District Judge, 295th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Donna Roth received 664,191 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 149,433 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Michelle Fraga received from her overall vote total of 516,238 you come up with 106,178 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Donna Roth and Michelle Fraga, she would have still defeated Michelle Fraga by approximately 43,255 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

19

20

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE LINDA MARIE DUNSON UNSEATED JUDGE SHERI Y. DEAN BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Linda Marie Dunson would have still defeated Republican Judge Sheri Y. Dean in the race for Family District Judge, 309th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Linda Marie Dunson received 650,802 overall votes.

When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 136,044 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge Sheri Y. Dean received from her overall vote total of 528,108 you come up with 118,048 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Linda Marie Dunson and Judge Sheri Y. Dean, she would have still defeated Judge Dean by approximately 17,996 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

21

22

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE SONYA HEATH UNSEATED JUDGE LISA A. MILLARD BACK ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Sonya Heath would have still defeated Republican Judge Lisa A. Millard in the race for Family District Judge, 310th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Sonya Heath received 662,187 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 147,429 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge Lisa A. Millard received from her overall vote total of 517,019 you come up with 106,959 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Sonya Heath and Judge Lisa A. Millard, she would have still defeated Judge Millard by approximately 40,470 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

23

24

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE GERMAINE TANNER UNSEATED JUDGE ALICIA FRANKLIN YORK BACK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Germaine Tanner would have still defeated Republican Judge Alicia Franklin York in the race for Family District Judge, 311th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Germaine Tanner received 643,674 overall votes.

When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 128,921 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge Alicia Franklin York received from her overall vote total of 534,683 you come up with 124,623 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Germaine Tanner and Judge Alicia Franklin York, she would have still defeated Judge York by approximately 4,298 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

25

26

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE RONNISHA BOWMAN UNSEATED JUDGE BILL HARMON BACK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge Ronnisha Bowman would have still defeated Republican Judge Bill Harmon in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion she received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Ronnisha Bowman received 649,599 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 134,841 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straight-ticket votes, Judge Bill Harmon received from his overall vote total of 526,630 you come up with 116,570 votes.

So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Ronnisha Bowman and Judge Bill Harmon, she would have still defeated him by approximately 18,271 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

27

28

HBC MAGAZINE®

“The dream lives...“Public Servants” you should know in Harris County, Texas.”

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE SCOT “DOLLI” DOLLINGER DEFEATED SHARON HEMPHILL BACK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

In case you don’t know, Judge- Scot “Dolli” Dollinger would have still defeated Republican Sharon Hemphill in the race for District Judge, 189th Judicial District Court – even without the 104,698 straight-ticket voting cushion he received from Democratic voters in Harris County, Texas back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election. Here’s why: Scot “Dolli” Dollinger received 654,325 overall votes. When you subtract the 514,758 straight-ticket votes, you come up with 139,567 votes. Comparatively speaking, if you subtract the 410,060 straightticket votes, Sharon Hemphill received from her overall vote total of 526,217 you come up with 116,157 votes. So, in essence, even if you stripped away the straight-ticket votes received by Scot “Dolli” Dollinger and Sharon Hemphill, he would have still defeated her by approximately 23,410 votes back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the midterm election in my opinion.

®

THIS MOMENT IN TEXAS HISTORY...

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS 957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039 PHONE: (832)212-8735 CELL: (281)788-3033

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

29

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Every Day

During the less than 13 years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership of the modern American Civil Rights Movement, from December, 1955 until April 4, 1968, African Americans achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced. Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history.

Drawing inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. King led a nonviolent movement in the late 1950’s and ‘60s to achieve legal equality for African-Americans in the United States. While others were advocating for freedom by “any means necessary,” including violence, Martin Luther King, Jr. used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance, such as protests, grassroots organizing, and civil disobedience to achieve seemingly-impossible goals. He went on to lead similar campaigns against poverty and international conflict, always maintaining fidelity to his principles that men and women everywhere, regardless of color or creed, are equal members of the human family.

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Nobel Peace Prize lecture and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” are among the most revered orations and writings in the English language. His accomplishments are now taught to American children of all races, and his teachings are studied by scholars and students worldwide. He is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor, and is the only non-president

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

31

memorialized on the Great Mall in the nation’s capitol. He is memorialized in hundreds of statues, parks, streets, squares, churches and other public facilities around the world as a leader whose teachings are increasingly-relevant to the progress of humankind.

Some of Dr. King’s most important achievements include:

In 1955, he was recruited to serve as spokesman for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was a campaign by the African-American population of Montgomery, Alabama to force integration of the city’s bus lines. After 381 days of nearly universal participation by citizens of the black community, many of whom had to walk miles to work each day as a result, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in transportation was unconstitutional.

In 1957, Dr. King was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization designed to provide new leadership for the now burgeoning civil rights movement. He would serve as head of the SCLC until his assassination in 1968, a period during which he would emerge as the most important social leader of the modern American civil rights movement.

In 1963, he led a coalition of numerous civil rights groups in a nonviolent campaign aimed at Birmingham, Alabama, which at the time was described as the “most segregated city in America.” The subsequent brutality of the city’s police, illustrated most vividly by television images of young blacks being assaulted by dogs and water hoses, led to a national outrage resulting in a push for unprecedented civil rights legislation. It was during this campaign that Dr. King drafted the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” the

32

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

manifesto of Dr. King’s philosophy and tactics, which is today required-reading in universities worldwide.

Later in 1963, Dr. King was one of the driving forces behind the March for Jobs and Freedom, more commonly known as the “March on Washington,” which drew over a quarter-million people to the national mall. It was at this march that Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which cemented his status as a social change leader and helped inspire the nation to act on civil rights. Dr. King was later named Time magazine’s “Man of the Year.”

In 1964, at 35 years old, Martin Luther King, Jr. became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. His acceptance speech in Oslo is thought by many to be among the most powerful remarks ever delivered at the event, climaxing at one point with the oft-quoted phrase “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.

This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.”

Also in 1964, partly due to the March on Washington, Congress passed the landmark Civil Rights Act, essentially eliminating legalized racial segregation in the United States. The legislation made it illegal to discriminate against blacks or other minorities in hiring, public accommodations, education or transportation, areas which at the time were still very segregated in many places.

The next year, 1965, Congress went on to pass the Voting Rights Act, which was an equally-important set of laws that eliminated the remaining barriers to voting for African-Americans, who in some locales had been almost completely disenfranchised. This legislation resulted directly from the Selma to Montgomery, AL March for Voting Rights lead by Dr. King.

Between 1965 and 1968, Dr. King shifted his focus toward economic justice – which he

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

33

highlighted by leading several campaigns in Chicago, Illinois – and international peace – which he championed by speaking out strongly against the Vietnam War. His work in these years culminated in the “Poor Peoples Campaign,” which was a broad effort to assemble a multiracial coalition of impoverished Americans who would advocate for economic change.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s less than thirteen years of nonviolent leadership ended abruptly and tragically on April 4th, 1968, when he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. King’s body was returned to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, where his funeral ceremony was attended by high-level leaders of all races and political stripes.

Donate to the King Center and Get Involved Today!

Over the past year, we have been inundated with violence in our nation and around the world!

These tragic circumstances have served as searing reminders of the continued relevance of Dr. King's message of nonviolence. We need to hear and embrace Dr. King's message now more than ever!

We need your support to insure that Dr. King's voice is heard and this critical work continues. Your donation will help us engage, educate, and train people around the world using Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and strategies, which we call Nonviolence365™ (NV365™).

With your help and with God’s grace, peace will prevail and The King Center will continue Dr. King’s mission for nonviolent social change.

Let’s stand together… on this King Holiday, and make a difference by making a contribution that honors the work and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. ARE YOU READY? DONATE TODAY! $3 – Become an "Activist Supporter" and

34

HBC MAGAZINE®

“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and everyday!”

help the King Center spread the message of nonviolence around the world $30 – In honor of the 30-Year Anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, become a "NV365™ Champion Supporter" and fund our Nonviolence365™ Education and Training Programs $60 – In honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, become a “Drum Major for Justice” and help The King Center develop innovative digital and technology solutions that spread Dr. King’s Nonviolence philosophy and teach ways to become a “Beloved Community” $300 - become a "Youth Champion" by supporting CAMP NOW, a nonviolence and leadership training camp for young people.

Other – Become a "Movement Supporter" by giving a donation of your choice The King Center is a 501(c)3. All donations are tax deductible Also, please take a moment to sign up for the King Center Newsletter (bottom of page) and stay informed!!!

Your generous support helps us promote and preserve Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, support programmatic growth, provide nonviolence education and training, and maintain The King Center facilities visited by over a million people each year.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and your donation may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income purposes. Please consult with your tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service regarding specific questions about your deductions.

—————————————————————— Checks should be made payable to “THE KING CENTER” if you would like to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"The King Center"

449 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30312

“It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not be in favor of justice for all people.”

"Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve.

You don't have to have a college degree to serve.

You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.