On Monday, NAZ offices are closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As we reflect on Dr. King’s enduring legacy as a civil rights leader, we also honor his bold vision for economic justice and educational equity—values that resonate deeply with NAZ’s mission.
Dr. King recognized that financial inequality was intricately tied to systemic racism and oppression. In his 1967 book, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, he championed the idea of a guaranteed basic income, stating, “The solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income.” His belief was clear: eradicating poverty required systemic change, ensuring everyone had the resources to live with dignity and thrive.
At NAZ, we share this commitment to breaking the cycles of poverty and inequity. Our work centers on ensuring that North Minneapolis scholars and families are equipped with the education, resources, and opportunities they need to build generational wealth. Through our network of more than 30 nonprofit and school partners, we aim to empower scholars by dismantling systemic barriers and creating pathways to success.
By investing in scholars’ academic achievement and addressing historical disparities in wealth creation, we honor and uphold Dr. King’s vision of a society where opportunity and prosperity are accessible to all. His legacy reminds us that education and economic mobility are powerful forces for change, and they remain central to NAZ’s work in transforming systems for the future of our children.
We invite you to take a moment to reflect on Dr. King’s unwavering dedication to justice and equity. Watch NAZ President and CEO Sondra Samuels share insights about how his legacy informs our work today, and join us in committing to the urgent work of creating a more just and equitable future for our scholars and community.