“I have a dream that all men are created equal…” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Today we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. day, a national holiday commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Friday, in preparation for today, Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital in South Los Angeles, CA celebrated 6 years of success since opening their doors with their annual “Sharing the Dream” luncheon at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. This luncheon was put on to recognize those who have made a difference in the community and have lead the hospital to such success, such as Dr. Elaine Batchlor who serves as CEO of the hospital and has also been recognized as a nationally recognized CEO and national social justice honoree for 2019. The Martin Luther King Jr. hospital serves 1.3 million residents of South Los Angeles and promises to offer a “level of service that ensures high-quality, high-tech, and high-touch healthcare experience for patients and their families – regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.”
In attendance were civic, business, and philanthropic leaders from the greater Los Angeles, the State of California, and the nation. These guests include: Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, Sherry Lansing, CEO of the Sherry Lansing Foundation, as well as Hon. Mark Ridley-Thomas, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Also in attendance was Chris Nee, Event Chair and MLKCH Foundation Board Member as well as the creator of the Disney animated series, Doc McStuffins. Nee is very passionate about equality in healthcare and commented, “It’s our most basic right is to be able to go to a hospital, take care of ourselves, and also live a healthy life, and that’s so much of what Doc was trying to do is to make sure that kids are aware of how to have a healthy lifestyle and this hospital takes it from the unreal of a cartoon show to the real of affecting people’s lives here in Los Angeles.”
Serving as Mistress of Ceremonies was “Extra TV” host, Tanika Ray. When asked what people should remember about today’s holiday, she said, “When it comes down to it, it really is about hope, unity, and faith in each other, and we can’t forget that.”
Friday’s event was a true testament to what caring in a community can do in people’s lives and how a man’s legacy will continue to thrive forever.
To find out more about the MLKCH Foundation, visit https://www.mlkch.org/give-to-mlkch.
