“It takes a few good human beings to bring about change”. – Mr. Martin Luther King III
The study and practice of yoga has taken me beyond the mat, and to have interest in service, peace, and compassion.
One of my involvements is with Compassionate York Region (CYR). This organization began in Richmond Hill by a group of dedicated women, and it is part of a global movement called “The Charter for Compassion”.
In February, I had the opportunity to have a wonderful discussion with Mr. Martin Luther King lll about fostering community.
Prior to recording, we had an earlier conversation about Compassionate York Region and the Charter for Compassion, as well as his initiative Realizing the Dream that involves his wife, Arndrea Waters King, and daughter, Yolanda Renee King, in partnership with Legacy+.
Mr. King shared how he truly desires to carry on his father’s legacy. To me, it is truly remarkable to have the courage and conviction to do so, especially given the tragedy that his family faced when his father was assassinated in 1968, and he was just a young boy. I also had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Arndrea Waters King that evening, who spoke very eloquently and passionately about their daughter Yolanda. Yolanda is becoming quite the advocate for the rights of women, given that in her 16 years there has been such a slide backwards for women.
In the video below, you will see how Mr. King talks about the power of bridges and creating connection and opportunities in the community to meet each other as humans, even if we don’t always agree. I felt like Mr. King was speaking directly to Compassionate York Region’s efforts to bring change in the community, with the concepts of the “Beloved Community” that his father, Martin Luther King Jr. often spoke about. At the end, Mr. King and I shared a point of view and a special moment, noting that we have more in common than we have different!
I am deeply grateful for this time with Mr. King and having captured some of his thoughts to support York Region and Richmond Hill moving forward as a “Beloved Community”.
