Thousands came to Memphis in April 2018 to commemorate the 50th year since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated there. As managing editor of MLK50.com, I joined the segment with New York-based Black Lives Matter leader Hawk Newsome. MLK50.com was founded to center marginalized communities in the runup to commemorative events that would surely take a celebratory tone without the introspection of the true economic reality of Memphis’ residents who are majority black. Founded by Wendi C. Thomas, a modern-day Ida B. Wells in her own rite, MLK50.com addressed the quest for a living wage, criminal justice, jobs, housing, wealth creation and so much more.
