WASHINGTON –
The Defense Intelligence Agency workforce observed the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in an event Jan. 26, at the DIA headquarters.
DIA Director Army Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, Jr. opened the observance by sharing the story of how Martin Luther King, Jr. gained his name.
Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, a Virginia Theological Seminary professor, gave the keynote speech during the event. She focused on Dr. King's dream and emphasized the impact it has had on the fabric of America today.
"The words and images and even the sound of his voice is etched in our collective memory," said Fentress-Williams.
She explained that the “I Have a Dream” speech offered people a glimpse of a world that they could not see. "He helped us see something we couldn't see on our own," said Fentress-Williams.
Fentress-Williams added that remembering the speech means we have to remember the complicated history that created it. She pointed out that Dr. King could have opted out and gone and lived a life for himself, but he didn’t.
Recounting a family event, she emphasized how dreams can be realized at any age and encouraged the workforce to cultivate an awareness of their own dreams.
"Some people think only special people get to dream," said Fentress-Williams. "Be open to finding something and having realities in your everyday encounters… We are all dreamers—don’t ever forget to dream.”