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“What are You Doing for Others?” Lessons and Words from MLK
As the nation celebrates the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, we can remember that in addition to being a transformative communicator, Dr. King was indeed a powerful collaborator.
He fostered historic change, and he did so by bringing together disparate parties or rallying those who had otherwise opted to remain on the sidelines of the civil rights struggle. He had ability to bring about courageous leadership in others, and we are all made better for this.
Drew Dellinger, a poet and teacher, shares lessons we can learn from Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement. We encourage you to access the full article here, which focuses on five lessons:
1. If you want to change the world, change your worldview.
2. To build a movement, use the power of dream, story and action.
3. Everyone can be a leader.
4. Connect the various societal issues, for often there are similar solutions.
5. Widen the circle of advocates who can solve problems.
May these words from Dr. King on courage, collaboration and cooperation inspire you in your work:
A Message From Minnesota Public Radio
Editorial Director, special projects
Minnesota Public Radio News
For months, the Bush Foundation and nine like-minded organizations have been conducting research, organizing, developing a website and talking to hundreds of Minnesota residents about creating an easier way for people to get engaged in the challenges facing their communities.
What you’re looking at, InCommons, is the result. It’s a co-creation, in which everyone will contribute, a changing virtual and real-world meeting place that will succeed as more and more Minnesotans take advantage.
Minnesota Public Radio News is a co-creator of InCommons ,and here’s why: A central part of MPR News’ mission is to inform Minnesota residents in ways that increase their sense of community, their sense of place. In the end, we want to enable people to participate well in civic life.
Celebrating Our Challenge Winners
We’re excited about 2011, which brings the official launch of InCommons. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to register on our site to begin connecting with other Minnesotans in discussing and resolving community issues and problems.
We want to take one more look back and thank the 223 organizations and individuals who submitted entries in our first-ever InCommons Collaboration Challenge.
In particular, congratulations to our top vote-getter and recipient of $25,000 – Minnesota River/Lake Pepin Friendship Tours – voted on by the public and a panel of judges for their efforts in addressing agricultural pollution. Earlier this summer, organizers with the Friendship Tours brought together upstream farmers on the Minnesota River with downstream environmentalists near Lake Pepin. More than 50 people took part in Upstream/Downstream Friendship tours to seek understanding and to create trust and dialogue.
To learn more, please take a few minutes to view a special video InCommons produced on their outreach efforts.
And, we’ve more stories to share. Be sure to also view videos of our two other finalists in the InCommons Collaboration Challenge, Native American Somali Friendship Committee, which builds collaboration and understanding between Native American and Somali communities in the Twin Cities; and, Growing Up Healthy, a coalition of organizations and agencies in Rice Country seeking to improve the impact and benefits of services offered to marginalized families with children five and under.
Thank you all for your incredible work.
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