::BlackGivesBack Honors the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.::

BlackGivesBack honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential leaders in our nation's history. He is the first African American to be honored with his own memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Dr. King lived and died fighting for racial equality and integration. In one autobiography, it states that although Dr. King was 39 at the time of his death, the autopsy revealed that he had the heart of a 60-year old man, evidencing the stress the civil rights movement had on him.

Below are pictures that depicted life for African Americans in the South during the 1950s:

Today, Dr. King would not be pleased with statistics on the black community, particularly on black males: Fewer than 50% of black males do not graduate from high school, one-third of black males born today will spend time in prison, 48 percent of all black children live without fathers in their home, and a 2005 study found that among black murder victims, a whopping 93% were committed by other blacks.

Photo credit: Baltimore Sun

On this day as America remembers our nation's greatest civil rights leader, take some time to reflect on what you can do to continue his dream. Mentor a child. Invite a young black male who does not have a father figure on an activity with your family. Volunteer. Get active in your community. Give of your time to a worthy cause.

For mentoring opportunities in your area: http://www.mentoring.org/
To locate an organization to volunteer your time or donate to: http://www.networkforgood.org/
Donate to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation: http://www.mlkmemorial.org/


Source: Wikipedia
Photos: GettyImages, Baltimore Sun