Realizing the Dream with Scholastic

Scholastic Kid Reporter Leyla Saldanha pictured with Arndrea Waters King and Martin Luther King III.

On October 31, 2024, Martin Luther King III, his wife Arndrea Waters King, and daughter Yolanda King were invited by Scholastic to speak about their initiative, Realize the Dream, at its New York City headquarters. Scholastic’s President and CEO, Peter Warwick, shared that Realize the Dream is “an ambitious movement to bring communities together to perform 100 million hours of service by January 15, 2029, which is the 100th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth."   

 Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is a powerful reminder of the impact of nonviolent activism in the pursuit of equality. His commitment to justice and advocacy for peace continue to inspire generations. By challenging racism, he reshaped both the United States and the world, advocating for a society where individuals are judged by their character rather than their skin color. Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings emphasize empathy and collective action, urging us to carry forward his vision of equality to our communities. 

Mr. King told moderator, award-winning author, and Scholastic Vice President and Editor, Andrea Pinkey, that "instead of turningto each other, it feels as if we're turning on each other and against each other." He hopes in our divided nation that people will realize that “we are so much greater when we are standing together.” Mr. Warwick said “Realize the Dream is asking each one of us to spread a ripple of kindness that will become a wave of goodwill.” 

Scholastic Kid Reporter Leyla Saldanha asks the panel a question.

Mrs. King said "people must be part of a world that they believe in." She wants young people to know they “don’t have to wait to change the world” and can “stand up and make their voices heard.” Mrs. King hopes children will make a difference because "we only get to 100 million hours by all of us leaning in and working together." 

She hopes kids will be inspired by other young people on fire. Yolanda, their sixteen-year-old daughter and national civil rights activist, wrote We Dream a World to carry the legacy of her grandparents to the next generation. Her greatest hope is “people can take the book and really see the potential in the world."

Scholastic is committed to “supporting [Martin Luther King Jr.’s] vision and explaining the long struggle of social justice to young people,” said Mr. Warwick. The company will partner with the King family and Legacy+ to donate over 50,000 books to participants.  Mr. King said, "How cool is that for a young person who steps up in their school and does all this great work, [they] can get a book that says you matter and the work you do matters."