A Word from MLK

Six months before his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a group of junior high students in Philadelphia. It was October 26, 1967.

Dr. King, a man with a PhD by the age of 25, was known for his command of words. Yet, in this speech, he makes one up—a simple, strange, yet profound word: somebodiness.

Number one in your life’s blueprint, should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness. Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you’re nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.

– Martin Luther King, Jr., Barratt Junior High School, Philadelphia, 1967 👉 Read The Entire Speech

I can hear the Preacher preaching.

This word—somebodiness—captures a foundational truth: every life matters, every story holds significance, and our shared humanity connects us in ways that words often fail to express.

Stories build bridges, deepen understanding, and lay the groundwork for a future where prosperity is shared by all. When we tell our stories, and when we truly listen to others, we honor somebodiness. In doing so, we plant the seeds of empathy, change, and growth.

Here’s what I believe Dr. King knew deeply: Our success as a people depends on how willing we are to connect, amplify unheard voices, and celebrate the dignity of every life.

Let us uplift one another’s somebodiness. When every story is heard, we all thrive.

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