Honoring MLK Day: Inspiring Future Leaders Through Storytelling

Honoring MLK Day: Inspiring Future Leaders Through Storytelling

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a visionary leader who dedicated his life to creating positive change and uplifting communities. His legacy of service and purpose continues to inspire generations. This MLK Day, AARP invites you to honor his memory by sharing and listening to stories that foster connection, spark inspiration, and empower future leaders in our communities. 

One such story is that of Dr. Geneva Craig, whose remarkable journey—from growing up in segregated Selma, Alabama, to becoming a leader in healthcare and advocacy—serves as a powerful example of resilience and the transformative power of storytelling. Dr. Craig's firsthand experiences during the civil rights movement, coupled with her dedication to preserving and sharing history, provide invaluable lessons in empathy, justice, and perseverance—qualities that continue to inspire new generations of leaders.

Building Empathy Through Stories

Dr. Craig vividly recalls her childhood in the segregated South, where systemic injustices shaped her understanding of the world. “I tell the story to the little kids,” she shares, “about the little girl who discovered she wasn't the right color.” These stories, aimed at young audiences, are shared in an effort to spread empathy. 

“When I talk to children, I ask them, ‘If that was you, how would you feel? What would you think?’ Oh, honey, you get a list!” she says. Through this interactive approach, Dr. Craig encourages children to step into the shoes of others. “There’s an old song, walk a mile in my shoes. If you do, you might see the world a little like I do.”

Her focus on empathy is foundational. “The bigger kids, you're still building empathy,” she explains, “but as they grow older, they can really relate to the anger—then that’s when you get to justice.”

Lessons of Justice from History

As a child, Dr. Craig experienced the inequities that limited opportunities for Black Americans. “I couldn't go to the library and check out books like everybody else. I couldn't play in the beautiful parks or use the public pools,” she recalls. These experiences fueled her anger but also her determination to make a change.

For Dr. Craig, storytelling is a bridge to understanding history’s impact on the present. “That’s why intergenerational storytelling is so important,” she says. “Not only so whites and young black people can see how far we’ve come, but also so they and others understand the struggles and sacrifices that were made.”

She urges young people to “know your history—it’s the history of your mother, your grandmother, your great-grandmother. It’s up to you to keep moving forward because equality, we’re not there yet.”
 
Continuing the Fight for Equality

Reflecting on the civil rights movement, Dr. Craig emphasizes the enduring importance of its core values. “Empathy, love, and justice—those three things are very important,” she says. “They came out of the civil rights movement, and we are still working on them today.”

Her storytelling fosters these principles across generations, connecting the past to present challenges. “If you don’t talk about it, their knowledge will never be enhanced,” she explains. By sharing her journey, Dr. Craig hopes to inspire others to carry forward the fight for justice and equality.

Dr. Craig’s life and stories remind us that the path to a better future begins with understanding and compassion. This MLK Day, let us honor Dr. King’s legacy by listening, sharing, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Join us for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reflections Breakfast on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Campbell Community Center in Eugene, OR. Hosted by AARP Oregon and St. Mark CME Church, the event will feature speakers Sen. James Manning, Rev. Deleesa Meashintubby, Mayor Kaarin Knudson, and music from the Willagillespie Honors Choir. Breakfast will be provided. Space is limited, so please register in advance. We look forward to seeing you there!

Register here: https://events.aarp.org/event/MLK2025