Happy New Year Everyone. Today is my uncle’s 97th birthday. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was born on January 15, 1929. He was the middle child of three siblings, born to Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Daddy King was a preacher. He and his wife birthed first my Aunt Christine, then my Uncle Martin (ML), and then my father Alfred (A.D.)

Today also marks the forty-third anniversary of the MLK Federal Holiday, established in his honor in 1983. Trivia note: I was a Georgia State Legislator at the time.

Along with the obvious blood ties, Uncle ML and I are “birth month buddies.” My son Eddie and dearly departed cousin Dexter were also “January babies.”

While there has often been controversy and debate surrounding the MLK Holiday, I like to remind people that the very best way to honor the memory of my uncle, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is to remember that he loved God and served God to the best of his ability during his lifetime.

For your listening pleasure please check out these two musical tributes from Pat Boone

This is a song written by Pat Boone the day he heard the news of Martin Luther King Jr’s asassination. It features along with Pat Boone, singers Angie Whitney, Brenda Turner and Michael B. Sutton.

and also, from yours truly, written in 1974.

Evangelist Alveda King – Let Freedom Ring w/ Vernessa Mitchell

I believe if Uncle ML were here with us today, he would remind us to be kind to humanity and to take care of the least of these.  I’m sure he wouldn’t be happy about people arguing and fighting about a holiday for him. I know God isn’t happy about any discord. As my uncle would say: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” He believed in the American Dream. I still do.

@AlvedaKingOFFICIAL
MLK PARK ATLANTA OBSERVANCE: April 4, 2025 – Celeste Beal | Speaker
MLK: The American Dream

Every January, I join our family in Atlanta for MLK Holiday events.

Today there is a tribute and prayer service at the USDA with White House officials, distinguished heads of state, and others. I am here as well.

Here at the United States Department of Agriculture, I am grateful to be a “Trump Appointee” in the Faith Center. Serving under Secretary Brooke Rollins, I believe that rather than contending with each other over important dates and what to celebrate and what to hold in esteem during this season, it is most  appropriate to thank God for life here on the earth in America. We must put American Agriculture First – always under God. Then we can extend our help and benevolence around the world.

Next week the annual March for Life and surrounding activities will take place. Please pray for and with us.

There’s also ongoing controversy regarding whether we should celebrate an occasion called Black History or African American History Month in February. Actually, there is reason to celebrate every aspect of human life, every ethnicity, every community celebrating life from the womb to the tomb, and beyond. We are one blood/one human race (Acts 17:26). Skin color racism is socially engineered.

With me being very aware of my ethnicity, not only attached to the African American community, but to Ireland and Native American blood through my ancestry, I am just thankful to be alive.

Dr. Alveda King: ONE BLOOD/ONE HUMAN RACE (WE’RE NOT COLORBLIND)

Finally, is very important for everyone to honor God and be grateful for and to take care of the land to have healthy spirits, souls, bodies, and relationships. The Bible says, beloved I desire above all things that you prosper and be in good health, even as your souls prosper.

So, for this month, January, and beyond, let’s reflect on what remains. Let’s thank God for what we have left and let us be kind to each other and to the land.

My grandfather often reminded us to “thank God for what we have left.” Just look around you and as you reflect upon what you’ve lost, please take a moment to pray, and to consider what you have to gain.

Additional Prayer Points:

• She Leads America at the historical National Day of Prayer

• AFPI Women and partnering groups for favorable Supreme Court decision for Women In Sports 

• The Vision TV Show
• National Religious Broadcasters
• America Reads The Bible
• Priests for Life Annual National Prayer Service (Interdenominational)
• Bishop Kelvin Cobaris: “American Dream Day” bridge builder Zoom event. Monday, January 19, 2026 @ 5:30 PM ET.