An MLK Day Message from SaulPaul
SaulPaul is GRAMMY nominated Musician with a Message. His inspiring backstory of transitioning from tragedy to triumph has been told on screen via the documentary Tower to Tower and via his memoir Be The Change as well as his popular TEDx Talks.
He recently visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens and had this to say:
In addition to receiving a humanitarian award for my work in arts and community service from Dr. King’s son, MLK III, I recently had the honor of creating an album inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It's a folk album, filled with stories and melodies that celebrate his enduring legacy. Featuring ten songs and an ensemble of collaborators and #ChangeMakers, this album, "Black Folk Music," stands as a testament to Dr. King’s profound impact.
Music speaks to everyone, transcending boundaries and bringing us all together. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens beautifully honors Dr. King’s vision of a harmonious world while reminding us to remain committed to ensuring civil rights and equality for all. The MLK memorial is art in its purest form, and visiting it sparked the creation of this next piece of art: A poem incorporating the 10 song titles from my album “Black Folk Music.” The song titles are in all caps.
10 Ways Dr. King Inspired Me
From his hands to ours, the BATON of justice is passed, calling us to carry on the race. In every word he spoke, LOVE IS THE DREAM was the theme he painted for a world united. His life was a chorus of HALLELUJAHs, celebrating the power of peaceful resistance. He taught us that with ONE SHOT of courage, we could shatter walls of oppression and build bridges of unity. Dr. King envisioned a future where 'we' included all of humanity, living together in harmony - a VISION OF WE. Even in the face of adversity, his spirit urged us to KEEP PUSHING towards a better tomorrow. His message transcended borders, inspiring movements WORLDWIDE for freedom and equality. WATU MOJA, Swahili for ‘One People,’ reminds us of his dream for a world where we stand together as one. Dr. King's vibrant spirit echoed in places of gathering, where people found strength in community and song, like a JOOK JOINT. His LEGACY is a tapestry of hope, woven with threads of love, justice, and unwavering faith.
You can listen to SaulPaul’s album, “Black Folk Music,” on Apple Music and Spotify.
You can learn more about his music and mission as a Musician with a Message at www.SaulPaul.com.
The celebrations are this weekend at Yerba Buena Gardens, between 3rd and 4th Streets downtown, San Francisco, culminating on Monday, January 20th with a march and related activities at one of the nation’s most acknowledged memorials to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the heart of our Gardens.