Honoring his legacy with community
As we observe and honor the 30th annual celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day at NCWIT, we continue to dream boldly, partnering with changemakers across the tech ecosystem to realize a more equitable and inclusive future where diversity is celebrated as a source of strength, innovation and unity. Looking forward to 2025, we affirm our intent to maintain and support our nationwide community and move forward toward our shared goals. We invite you to join us.
Who We Are
NCWIT widens inclusion in the technology ecosystem through innovative programs and research. To learn more, read our most recent partner report.
Read a text transcript of the “I Have a Dream” speech
Dreaming Together
“… Their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on Aug. 28, 1963
Our freedom, and our futures, are connected, and we share a common dream. Together, we can create a welcoming space where all people and ideas can flourish. To do this, we work to establish and maintain cultures of belonging that celebrate and uplift individuals from all walks of life, particularly those whose voices and experiences have historically been underrepresented or absent. Making the dream a reality calls us to lead with purpose, reflect on our values, and reimagine and reform norms and practices that limit our collective progress, growth, and wellbeing. By appreciating our unique perspectives and working to expand inclusive opportunities, we create a future where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute to a better world.
“One of the great problems of history is that the concepts of love and power have usually been contrasted as opposites; polar opposites, so that love is identified with a resignation of power, and power with a denial of love… Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love. This is what we must see as we move on.”
– Dr. King wrote in his final book, Where Do We Go From Here?
Dr. King’s words offer a profound reminder that love and power are not mutually exclusive forces, but essential partners in the pursuit of justice. When power is guided by the love of humanity, it becomes a tool for transformation. It uplifts communities, promotes equity and dismantles the structures that perpetuate harm.
Similarly, when justice is rooted in the spirit of love, it seeks not to punish or dominate, but rather to heal, restore, and create lasting harmony. As we move forward, we are called to lead with this integrated vision, using both the spirit of love and power to drive meaningful change and build a future where dignity, opportunity, and compassion are experienced by all.
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In recognition of Dr. King’s legacy on this national holiday, we ground our practice in this transformative love for humanity and direct our power to grow and build our contemporary communities on a foundation of respect, care, and dignity.
From this footing, advocates and changemakers are best poised to build acceptance, safety, and momentum in relationships and decision-making spaces. As we progress toward inclusion, we can expand the space that allows for the complete integration of who we are – honoring authenticity and diversity – drawing closer to the bright future Dr. King dreamed about.
NCWIT Resource: Intersectionality in Tech 101
While many may first think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream in terms of civil rights and racial justice, it is important to remember that economic opportunity and employment conditions were central to his vision. The heart of his “Poor People’s Campaign” demanded the right to secure meaningful jobs that would lift people out of poverty and empower them to cultivate their talents and live with dignity. At NCWIT, we recognize the tech space as a modern arena brimming with great potential to create life-changing pathways and drive innovation. Yet, we also recognize that the promise of equitable access to education and careers within this space remains unrealized. Our work is rooted in the belief that by addressing these gaps, we can help develop a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Cooperate to Innovate
Tech is certainly a competitive space; however, the potential to innovate knows no limits, and cooperation on tech teams is essential. When people are encouraged to express their authentic selves, thoughts, and perspectives, innovative ideas become much easier to share and explore. Now more than ever, we need the creativity and knowledge that can only come from intentionally considering a variety of needs and lived experiences to ensure the technical solutions we design have the greatest positive impact while minimizing potential harms. As Dr. King demonstrated, when we empower people with insights and resources to enable collective action, we can transform and mobilize our communities — and by extension, education and industry, too.
“To drive positive change, technology must be designed with intentionality, grounded in values that prioritize people, planet, and society at large. This means advocating for technology that serves the public good, amplifies marginalized voices, and aligns with justice, fairness, and sustainability. It also means acknowledging the tensions between competing values — privacy and security, innovation and regulation — and using these tensions as opportunities to refine our technological frameworks.”
– Siegel Family Endowment Report | Reflections on 2024
NCWIT Resources: ACT Report | PowerTilt | Tech Inclusion Journey
The data and findings are consistent and clear: Diverse teams drive innovation. This is why our saying at NCWIT is: “The idea you don’t have is the voice you haven’t heard.” Each year, we hear amazing and inspiring ideas from the diverse students and young professionals who apply for NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) awards and join the AiC Community. We are also proud to be part of the progress being made across the NCWIT Alliances – K-12, Higher Ed, Workforce, and Affinity – and will continue to eagerly amplify best practices while freely sharing resources with changemakers from coast to coast.
Finding Focus
As a research-based organization, we believe in the power and efficacy of taking an informed approach to addressing persistent problems in the world. We also believe it’s vital to include the people who will be most impacted in decision-making and designing solutions. In conjunction with the NCWIT and National Science Foundation (NSF) Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) alliances, we strive to educate and equip people in their communities by fostering confidence and resilience as we face challenges together, confident in our collective capacity to build a better world.
NCWIT Blog: Changing for the Better | Elevating Inclusion
“We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on Aug. 28, 1963
In a DAME Magazine article entitled “The Evisceration of Diversity Programs is Upon Us,” Kaitlin Byrd noted that affirmative action, DEI, grants for minority group members, and LGBTQIA+ equality efforts are all tools for an integrated society where no one is expected to set aside who they are, and can instead be recognized fully – along with their potential.
“A better United States — a flourishing future for this nation — demands integration for its success. It is not the erasure of individual history, talent, meaning or purpose, but the acceptance of all the ways in which those differences can and do create magnificence,” Byrd wrote. “Integration asks us to see and respect the common humanity of each other because we are unique, not in spite of it.”
When we operate with a sense of shared purpose and remain focused on our common goals, we recognize that our struggles are not against each other, but rather against the deeper, systemic issues that hinder progress — social exclusion, discrimination, and injustice.
These challenges are magnified by segregation and inequitable access to resources and opportunities. As we move forward, we will continue to look to the legacy of civil rights leaders like Dr. King as we rally together to address the roots of these barriers with intention and collaboration. We pave the way for a more equitable, inclusive and prosperous future for all. Along the way, we at NCWIT are honored and grateful to remain part of this dedicated community of dreamers as we explore new paths and frameworks to achieve our collective aims.
“The end is reconciliation, redemption, the creation of the Beloved Community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opponents into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love that will bring about miracles in the hearts of [all].”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
