COURTESY BULLION
JIMMY COZIER
RECORDING ARTIST
“Listening to Doctor Martin Luther King’s speech for first time, was my first time experiencing the feeling of inspiration and purpose! Seeing one man who was determined to educate his people, save their souls and breed a connection with all races and creeds…that was inspiring to me!! He was dedicated to his dream of securing equality for his people and people in general even though the price was being verbally abused, physically assaulted and eventually assassinated! His legacy of love and hope for all is embedded in my soul! Forever I will illuminate his message!!”
COURTESY SJO PR
JOSH XANTUS
KSR RECORDING ARTIST
“Visionary. freedom fighter. profound orator. fearless Leaders. These are only a few words that describe the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I often hear my mother, who immigrated from Haiti, describe witnessing his greatness. As a first generation American, I am reminded to always dream incredible dreams and to always use my voice and influence to stand for something. He is also a reminder that as long I put the effort with integrity, passion, purpose and genuine love, I can achieve my dream.”
COURTESY VIDEO MUSIC BOX
RALPH MCDANIELS
MUSIC HISTORIAN/FOUNDER OF VIDEO MUSIC BOX
“Dr. Martin Luther King inspired me to create and live free.Let no man put us under.”
COURTESY BULLION
PAM
RECORDING ARTIST
“Dr. King was such as inspiration in my life. I mean, come on, what Black person hasn’t been influenced by the great Dr. King? The courage he had to fight for our freedom. To go against adversity so we can all have the American dream. I would say pursuing a music career is similar in a way. We fight to get our music heard, to stand out in a sea of musicians. As an afrobeats artist we fight for inclusion in the R&B and Rap genre. Pursuing my music career started with a talent and a dream. Dr. King gives us the prime example that no matter your dream see it through. It can happen.”
COURTESY TWO R S ENTERTAINMENT
T BARZ
HIP HOP ARTIST
“He inspired me to look at an individual for who they are instead of what they look like. Having a mind and heart like that has helped me be a better person as well as an artist.There are no limits. If Dr. King did what he did with the adversity that he had, I know sky’s the limit. That’s why I’ll never be limited in anything I do or create.”
COURTESY SIMPLY FOR THE PROMO
NATURAL RED
HIP HOP ARTIST
“Dr. King has been a life-long inspiration for me. The way that he showed strength at all times. Never fearing the outcome of his willingness to stand up for inequality. He knew that it would one day cost him his life, but the fight was bigger than that to him. He still marched onward. Knowing what he could face at the end of the road. This is what keeps me moving forward.”
COURTESY @thirty8special
BRANDON CORDER
FOUNDER/CREATOR OF BEATS X BEERS AND BEATS X BOOKS
“Martin Luther King represented the highest form of respect and honor as a young African American male. As a kid I learned early on how important it was to have a dream and it was okay to have a vision that no else could see at the moment. Martin Luther King taught me stand for what I believe in no matter what odds were against me. Growing up as a visionary and a leader hearing his speeches, watching clips of his marches, and learning about his actions in the Civil Rights movement stuck with me. I took that same determination and perseverance and put it into creating my own brands, Beats x Beers and Beats x Books. Merging music, education, and technology are my tools to bridge those gaps that Martin was fighting so hard to close, and just like him, I have a vision and want to see it through for the future generation.”
COURTESY SIMPLY FOR THE PROMO
ERNEST JACKSON
BRAND MANAGER/CELEBRITY PUBLICIST
“I believe I was inspired by the fact that he was willing to give his life for what he believed was right. It’s hard to look at danger head on and say I will stand in the gap. That has inspired me to fight for every dream that I have. It encourages me when I feel I’m so far away. These days I can say I feel Dr. King’s energy moving through me, because I am living out every dream and goal I have set for myself so far this year.”
COURTESY MNS MEDIA
BOBBY STONE
RECORDING ARTIST
“I’m inspired by Dr. King’s ability to be resilient despite the odds being against him. His strength and might to continue fighting without knowing when the fight will be over. Indefatigable!”
- COURTESY MNS MEDIA
DURTYFLOW AKA M.I.
HIP HOP ARTIST
“He inspired me in my everyday life by showing me that patience and tolerance are key to any goal that you’re trying to achieve. He also taught me to be selfless when it comes to the betterment of society even when faced with hatred and obstacles.”
AKEE FONTAINE
COURTESY MNS MEDIA
“Dr. King was a leader, taught me how to lead. Dr. King taught me to dream and showed me anything is possible, just never give up my dream.”
COURTESY REGAN FARLEY
DJ HEAR NO EVIL
PROMINENT HEARING-IMPAIRED DJ
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr who was a brother of my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, inspired people including me, around the world with a message of peaceful resistance and racial equality. His legacy assisted me to have the courage to obtain my goals by overcoming my obstacles no matter what life throws at me. I always have to remind myself not to give up so I can get the job done where I can go after my dream. I have to be optimistic even though there are a lot of trials and tribulations that I go through as a Black, young deaf DJ. Just like Dr. King fought through the battles for something that he believed in with his powerful voice and mindset to get to the stage where he wrote the famous speech, “I HAVE A DREAM,” in front of the Lincoln Memorial, on August 28, 1963. He paved the way for a lot of people including women. With that being said, I have a right to have a voice for my people of color who are deaf and hard of hearing to fight to get what we really want and pull hearing people to pay attention more to deaf awareness. In addition, we have a voice to tell them why we shouldn’t feel oppressed due to our hearing loss where some of us can’t speak at all or speak differently than hearing people. However, we have a different form of communication including sign language, and we use our sight sense and hands to indicate what can we do.”
COURTESY JAZZMYNE PR
DWAYNE MUFFLA SIMON
HIP HOP PIONEER WHO HAS WORKED WITH LL COOL J
“His bravery, foresight, persistence, and his genuine concern for an entire race of people as well as his understanding of the importance of unity in the communities and abroad – was a tremendous inspiration that transcended and blurred all color lines.”
COURTESY JAZZMYNE PR
CHAD RICO
MATH PROFESSOR/RECORDING ARTIST
“His patience and consistency were inspirational. I feel like those two things are key to success. He continued as an activist and never gave in. As a result, we get to live with certain rights that weren’t afforded to us before he decided to take a stand. That inspires me to take those two things and apply it to the goals I’m passionate about.”
