By: Kim Jones

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope that you all had a Blessed Christmas and was able to spend some time with your family and friends.

A Black pastor, visionary leader, and a voice that reshaped history forever.
As the US prepares for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026, many are looking beyond the textbooks to understand the man behind the movement. From his original name to his academic brilliance, these essential facts about Martin Luther King Jr. reveal the incredible journey of a global civil rights icon. While many of us recognize Martin Luther King Jr. by the “I have a dream” speech, the full scope of his life often remains hidden in academic journals.

Regardless of whether you are a student or a history enthusiast, a scope of the lesser-known facts about Martin Luther King provides a deeper appreciation for his sacrifice. This year, as the U.S. celebrates what would have been on his 97th birthday, new educational initiatives are highlighting his role not just as a dreamer, but as a revolutionary intellectual.

The legacy of Dr. King remains a cornerstone of American identity. Who is Martin Luther King Jr?  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the preeminent leader of American civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. A Nobel peace prize laureate and ordained minister, he advocated for social justice through nonviolent resistance.

According to the King center, his philosophy was rooted in The Beloved Community, a vision of a world where systematic racism and poverty are replaced by the brotherhood and international corporation.
To truly understand who Martin Luther King Jr. was, we must look at the pivotal moments that shaped his character. Here are five facts that offer a fresh perspective on his life.

1. His name was originally Michael.
One of the most surprising facts about Martin Luther King Jr. is that he wasn’t born Martin. His father, a pastor at Atlanta’s Ebeneezer Baptist Church, travel to Germany in 1934 and became inspired by the Protestant reformer Martin Luther. Upon return home He changed his son’s name to Martin Luther King.

2. He entered college at age 15.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a brilliant academic. He attended Morehouse College, a prestigious historically black college, at an age when most kids are starting high school. He graduated with a degree in sociology before moving on to earn his divinity degree and a PhD in sympathetic theology from Boston University.

3. The “I Have a Dream” speech was a spontaneous moment.
While he had a written script for the 1963 march on Washington, the legendary “I Have a Dream” segment was a last-minute addition. Singer Mahalia Jackson famously shouted from the crowd “Tell them about the dream, Martin! King set aside his notes and deliver the most famous orientation in American history.

4. He is the youngest male Nobel peace prize winner.
In 1964, at age 35, King became the youngest man to receive the Nobel peace prize. He donated every cent of the $54,123prize money to the civil rights movement, stating that the award belonged to all those who fought for justice.

5. His legacy is a global phenomenon.
While we focus on Martin Luther King Day in the US, his impact is international. There are over 1000 streets named after him worldwide, and he remains the only non-president to have a memorial on the national mall in Washington DC. Cementing his stature as a permanent pillar of democracy.

Understanding these facts about Martin Luther King Jr. helps us move beyond the statues and into the heart of his mission. As we observe the federal holiday this year, his message of “Radical Love” serve as a timely reminder to strive for equality and justice in our own communities.

Honoring and Celebrating White Shirt Day
On February 11, 2026 that UAW will gather to remember and celebrate the anniversary of white shirt day. UAW members celebrate white shirt day as a day to honor the GM workers who participated in the Flint sit down strike. The day marks the end of the 44 days strike where workers occupied GM plants, leading to Union recognization.
The origins of white shirt day started in 1948 by UAW member Burt Christiansen to remember the sacrifices of striking workers. This year celebration will be held at UAW local 651.

On February 22, 2026 the Black history Committee will hold its annual Black history program. The theme for this year‘s program “Passing the torch”. The program will be held at UAW Local 659 3:00 PM.

The UAW Local 659 education committee will be presenting post and pre-retirement classes in March. Stay tune more information.

Until next time stay warm and be blessed.