Dr. King’s Impact on Workforce Development

By Max Douge

Through the “Poor People’s Campaign,” Dr. King advocated for jobs to be extended to all members of society and to provide sustainable wages to overcome “the curse of poverty.” In 1963, Dr. King visited Detroit for the Walk to Freedom and discussed employment opportunities and economic advancement. Later, in 1968, Dr. King was in Memphis to support garbage workers who were striking to protest poor working conditions and low wages; while in Memphis, he was assassinated.

“The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr

Time has shown that when people are provided an opportunity to sustain themselves with steady work and fair wages, many can work their way out of poverty. Fifty-plus years later, the pursuit for fair livable wages, safe working conditions, and appropriate infrastructure (public transportation, childcare, etc.) continues, as documented locally through the United Way of Frederick County’s 2023 ALICE report.

This month, we celebrate and appreciate Dr. King’s contribution to workforce development; to learn more, check out the following links:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Workforce Development 

• MLK Fought for Workers’ Rights, Bridging the Labor Movement with the Civil Rights Movement 

• The 1968 Sanitation Workers’ Strike that Drew MLK to Memphis 

• Dr. King and the Dream of Full Employment — Viewpoints