Community Reflections In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Drum Majors for Justice

Cobb County, GA – In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Spotlight South Cobb News invited members of our community to share personal reflections on what this day means to them, how Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire their work, and the ways they have served as drum majors for justice within the community. Dr. King challenged each of us to be “drum majors for justice, peace, and righteousness.” His call was not reserved for those with titles or public platforms, but for everyday people willing to lead through advocacy, service, leadership, and action. Here are some of their reflections:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a call to action—especially here in South Cobb, where history, resilience, and hope live side by side. Dr. King’s charge to be “drum majors for justice” challenges us not to seek position, but to serve with purpose and integrity in the communities we call home.My commitment to justice has been shaped by the people of South Cobb—families striving for opportunity, young people searching for guidance, and neighbors who expect fairness and accountability from those entrusted with authority. Dr. King taught us that justice must be rooted in moral courage and compassion, and that leadership carries a responsibility to protect the dignity of every person. Being a drum major for justice in South Cobb means listening before leading, acting with transparency, and making difficult decisions guided by principle rather than convenience. It means strengthening trust between institutions and the community, advocating for ethical leadership, and ensuring that justice is applied evenly—without fear, favor, or prejudice. Service is not abstract here; it is personal. It shows up in community partnerships, honest dialogue, and a steadfast commitment to doing what is right, even when it is hard. Dr. King reminded us that everybody can be great because everybody can serve. Honoring his legacy means continuing the work—uplifting our community, protecting its people, and leading with courage so South Cobb can continue to move forward. 
—Honorable Sonya Allen, District Attorney, Cobb County Government

I think at the core of Dr. King’s advocacy was the pursuit of a fair society where all Americans have the same opportunities to achieve the American dream. Dr. King dreamed of a better society where anyone regardless of skin color would have the same opportunities to achieve great things and build the life they choose. We can all honor his legacy for the pursuit of peace, righteousness, and justice by remembering our shared humanity with one another and with action to make our communities a better place to live for all. Many take this holiday as “a day on, not a day off” by participating in acts of service that benefit their community. I will be participating in one of the community cleanups in honor of Dr. King’s legacy to help make Mableton a cleaner city we can all be proud of. 
—Honorable Patricia Auch, Former Mableton City Councilwoman, District 4

As Councilwoman for Mableton’s District 4, I’ve been reflecting deeply on Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community. That vision has always stirred something within, but now, as a keeper of the public trust, it resonates more than ever. It’s a vision where justice rolls down like waters, where peace is not passive but active, and where righteousness is rooted in love. To be a drum major for that kind of world is not about leading from the from, it’s about serving from the heart. The Beloved Community isn’t built in a vacuum. It’s built by meeting people where they are and uplifting one another. It’s about the quiet acts of care that bind us together and remind us that we are all connected. One shining example right here in Mableton is Our Giving Garden, which operates a 24/7 food pantry for anyone in need. Right now, they are seeking donations. Supporting them is more than charity, it’s an acknowledgment that we see each other, that we belong to one another, and that justice begins with meeting the basic needs of our neighbors. “The Beloved Community is not a dream deferred, it’s a daily decision to love our neighbors in action.” I am proud to be part of a community that chooses that love, again and again. And I remain committed to marching in step with all who believe that justice is possible, peace is powerful, and righteousness is our shared responsibility.
Honorable Cassandra Brown, Mabletown City Councilwoman, District 4

The Cook and Simmons Family recent encounter with Ambassador Andrew Young illuminates Dr. King’s Legacy for me and my family. As the nation celebrates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Cook and Simmons families were blessed with a deeply meaningful experience that brought his legacy vividly to life. Recently, our families were honored to be guests in the home of Ambassador and Mrs. Andrew Young. Ambassador Young—one of Dr. King’s closest colleagues and trusted partners in the Civil Rights Movement—spent time speaking with young Harry Simmons, the grandson of Dr. Betty Ann Cook, about the many dimensions of the movement and his own extraordinary life of service. With warmth and generosity, Ambassador Young shared stories of the marches, the sacrifices, and the immense challenges faced by those who dared to demand justice. He also spoke of the lasting accomplishments of the movement—how civil rights expanded freedom and opportunity for all. The Youngs’ beautiful home, itself a living museum of art and history, told countless stories of Dr. King’s life and work. The conversation soon turned to scripture, as Ambassador Young and Harry read aloud several of their favorite Bible verses, reflecting together on the spiritual foundation that guided Dr. King’s leadership. Inspired by this encounter, Harry recently presented what he learned to his classmates during Culture Day at his New York City school. His presentation brought Dr. King’s story to life for his peers, highlighting the courage, faith, and sacrifice required to achieve justice. Our evening with Ambassador and Mrs. Young is a moment our families will never forget. It stands as a quiet, yet powerful symbol of a legacy passed from one generation to the next—reminding us, as Dr. King taught in The Drum Major Instinct, that we are all called to lead with humility, faith, and love.
—Dr. Betty Ann Cook, Retired College Executive and Former South Cobb Citizen of the Year

As Georgia honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we do so at a moment when our democracy—the very foundation of the freedoms Dr. King fought for—is under direct attack. Dr. King, a son of Georgia and a leader forged in Atlanta, understood that democracy is both fragile and powerful. He warned us that democracy can be lost not only through open tyranny, but through the gradual normalization of lies, fear, militarism, and concentrated power in the hands of a few. Dr. King cautioned against the “drum major instinct,” the elevation of ego and domination over service and truth. Today, those warnings resonate deeply. The United States is governed by a president who previously sought to overturn a lawful election, including here in Georgia, and who has returned to office amid renewed efforts to weaken democratic norms, punish dissent, and expand executive power at all costs. “Dr. King reminded us that democracy does not defend itself.” It is our most precious resource, and it is protected only when people are willing to stand up for truth, reject political violence and militarism, and insist that no one—no matter how powerful—is above the Constitution. Honoring Dr. King requires more than reflection—it requires action. It requires protecting democracy, defending free and fair elections, protecting civil liberties, and ensuring that power flows from the people—not from fear, force, or authoritarian ambition.
Honorable Terry Alexis Cummings, JD, Georgia State House Representative, District 39

When I think about what it means to be a drum major for justice, I am reminded of an old gospel song I learned as a child: “Let the work I’ve done speak for me.” As a young girl, I sang those words joyfully from the church pews without fully understanding their depth. But as I became an adult—raising my children, serving my community, and striving to live out my faith—the meaning of those words has become clear and deeply rooted in my spirit. Dr. King taught us that true leadership is not about recognition or position, but about service, sacrifice, and courage. Like him, I have sought to use my gifts of advocacy and leadership to help my community move beyond obstacles and to ensure that people have a voice on issues that directly impact their lives. My work has been grounded in educating, empowering, and challenging others—not from a place of authority, but from a commitment to collective responsibility. Being a drum major for justice means standing up when it is uncomfortable, speaking out when voices are silenced, and encouraging others to take ownership of the future we are shaping together. It means leading with humility, guided by faith, and trusting that meaningful change comes when we act with purpose and conviction. If my work reflects anything, I hope it reflects what Dr. King modeled so powerfully—that justice is advanced not by words alone, but by lives committed to service, love, and action.
Shelia Edwards, Publisher – Spotlight South Cobb News, Community Advccate, and Candidate for Georgia Public Service Commissioner 2026

In Dr. King’s sermon, The Drum Major Instinct, he conveys that we are all leaders or, in his words, Drum Majors lead individuals, set standards and expectations for conduct, and who are ultimately responsible for the group’s performance. God instructed Noah to build an arc – an arc with no rudder – no rudder means you aren’t the one steering the vessel. Without knowing how things would turn out, Noah trusted God, built the arc, fulfilled the commands and after 40 days, a dove appeared holding an olive branch. Dr. King stood for and supported those who were not given justice, peace, or righteousness. He was being Christ like – fulfilling the word of God. Dr. King stepped up to lead – not knowing all the answers. Society expects our leaders to provide answers, directions, and solutions to everything – yet fail to realize we are part of the band. As a society, we have lost our way for how we treat each other – the equal footing that Dr. King stood for. Today, discrimination has turned from skin color to political ideology which now judges our character instead of our contributions. As an elected official, my style and preference are to work behind the scenes – hoping that my actions reflect my faith and belief in God and His will for my life. The best acevement in life is seeing someone else succeed and to me that was what Dr. King conveys for all of us to follow.
Honorable Keli Gambrill, District 1 Commissioner, Cobb County Government  

One of my favorite Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes is “if you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl; but my all means keep moving forward.” It’s about not letting anything stop you from your dreams. It’s about turning all obstacles and roadblocks into nothing more than speed bumps. Progress can be slowed and frustrated, but it will constantly be moving forward. It’s the other side of those frustrations when the most progress is made. We may be in a crawl right now, but we will get through it and King’s dream will continue to live on! 
Christopher M. Harden, Esq., Candidate for United State House of Representatives for Georgia’s Congressional District 11

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to be a “drum major for justice” continues to echo far beyond the marches and protests of his time. This mandate serves as a directive for me daily as I sit in the quietness of my chambers and when presiding from the bench in the courtroom. His legacy is a reminder that leadership is measured not by power, but by service. When serving in my role as a judge on the Superior Court of Cobb County, Dr. King’s life and sacrifices remind me that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, respect and in the difficult cases to rule not by what is popular or easy but instead, to act with moral courage based upon the law. The work of Dr. King shaped the law as a tool to lift the marginalized, protect the vulnerable and give all citizens equal protections under the law. It is my hope that with each ruling I am guided by conscience as much as by statute, allowing me to became a continuation of Dr. King’s unfinished work by advancing justice not with anger or ego, but with humility, integrity, and an unwavering belief in equal justice under law.
Honorable Kelli Hill, Cobb County Superior Court Judge

I believe that in transformative times, everyone has a role to play, shaped by their circumstances, resources, and access to community. Rather than expecting a single path forward, we each must contribute in ways that are realistic and meaningful for our lives. For me, that contribution is grounded locally, in Mableton, where I am working to build a small but intentional pocket of love, resilience, and shared responsibility. My vision is for a community where neighbors trade and share resources, support one another during times of need, and respect differing opinions while remaining rooted in a shared moral code. It is a place that values working with the land instead of against it, reducing dependence on large systems, and reclaiming human connection by spending time outdoors and together. I believe change can happen both through visible acts of courage and through quieter daily choices, such as mutual aid, gardening, and conscious consumption that resist harmful systems. Inspired by the example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am trying to model another way of living—one that proves peace, sustainability, joy, and respect across differences are possible, and that community is the foundation for all of it. Alongside Yashica Marshall, I co-founded Mableton for Love and Logic to help neighbors unite around shared values and protect the community from broader social chaos. I also established the Historic Mableton Trading Post as a space for giving and receiving according to need. Ultimately, I realized that while I cannot fix the world, I can build a life rooted in care and contribute something tangible to my community—and that is where lasting change begins.
Stephanie Horton, Creative Director, Community Activist, and Co-Founder of  LLC – Mableton Love Logic Community

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously taught us that “anybody can be great… because anybody can serve.” As a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I have spent my life turning that blueprint into action. My 42 years of service began at home with my family, eventually extending to my community and our country. This commitment was forged in the crucible of the United States Navy, where I served 22 honorable years and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Military service stretched me beyond my comfort zone, proving Dr. King’s words: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” My career taught me that true leadership is found in sacrifice, not ego. However, Dr. King also warned that “human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable; it requires the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” Today, I see a Georgia stalled by political noise. Our state deserves better. That is why I am running for Governor of Georgia in 2026. Georgia needs a Governor, a Commander-in-Chief, and a Chief Executive who understands that the mission is to serve The People, not politics. Standing on the shoulders of the pioneers who came before me, I am ready to lead with a “heart full of grace.” My life has been a marathon of service; I am ready to run this next mile for you.
Honorable Derrick Jackson, State Representative, Georgia House District 68, Candidate for Georgia Governor 2026

In his April 1963 “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”, Martin Luther King, Jr writes “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” The young, newly incorporated minority majority city of Mableton,  should take special heed to these words. In a time where the quality of life most people are able to afford is an exercise of diminishing returns due to stagnant incomes and increased taxes, elected officials have been granted the opportunity to protect those who they took an oath to serve. It is easy to suggest that because a decision one makes as an elected also impacts them, inferring people should trust such decisions best serves them. Elected officials are paid to make decisions for us and generally that pay supplements their already robust household incomes, so when they make decisions that have a  negative impact on the unsupplemented pockets of the least of us, it has a residual effect on all of us. It causes a loss of our most important resource, People. Mableton has a rich history and a diverse community in respect to age, race, education, socioeconomic  status and religion. We are a close-knit and we show up for our community. We desire true consideration from those whose decisions can either defend a quality of  life that supports the Mableton the community envisions or leads to the erosion caused by a community ignored. As we move forward, we should remember how Dr. King embraced and uplifted not only his immediate community but the community of all mankind, fighting for a quality of life that we could celebrate. We should all continue to commit to push for a sustainable and desired quality of life in Mableton such that we refuse to surrender its existence because if the least of us is directly impacted, it indirectly impacts us all. 
Yashica Marshall, Esq is an Attorney, Community Advocate and founder of LLC – Mableton Love Logic Community

Freedom, to me, is neither abstract nor inherited without cost. It is earned, protected, and expanded through leadership grounded in equity and compassion. As a Black woman from Kilmichael, Mississippi, now entrusted with leading one of the most prosperous counties in the South as the County Manager, I understand freedom as responsibility as much as right. I do not take this responsibility lightly. I am honored and privileged to serve in this role. My parents and grandparents labored in conditions that offered little assurance their work would yield opportunity for the next generation. They faced closed doors, unequal systems, and expectations designed to limit their reach. Yet they persisted. Their freedom was the courage to show up anyway, to build stability where none was promised, and to teach their children that dignity does not require permission. I stand on that foundation every day. Freedom today means using authority not for self-preservation, but for collective progress. It means shaping systems that recognize the full humanity of every person, regardless of race, income, or zip code. It means understanding that prosperity is hollow if it is not shared, and leadership is incomplete if it lacks compassion and a moral compass pointed towards community. For my children and grandchildren, freedom must be broader than what was available to those before us. It must include access to quality education, healthy environments, economic opportunities, and the assurance that their voices matter. Creating that future requires intentional action, moral clarity, and respect for the sacrifices that made this moment possible.Freedom is the bridge between generations. Honoring the past while building a more just, humane, and equitable world is how I choose to cross it.
Dr. Jackie McMorris, County Manager, Cobb County Government

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to be a “drum major for justice” reminds us that leadership is rooted in service. For me, that lesson guides my work as a member of the Mableton City Council.  I have worked to serve by showing up in the community, listening to residents, advocating for improvements, and pushing for accountability in local government. Whether walking neighborhoods, meeting with families and business owners, or supporting local schools and nonprofits, my focus has been on turning community needs into action. In our South Cobb community, justice shows up in practical ways: safer streets, stronger neighborhoods, and growth that benefits both longtime residents and future generations. Being a drum major for justice means listening, leading with integrity, and staying disciplined to a vision that is inclusive, fiscally responsible, and rooted in community identity. Dr. King’s legacy challenges me to help build a Mableton where opportunity, safety, and dignity are shared by all.
Honorable Michael McNeely, Mableton City Councilman, District 2

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of a dream, but he also understood discipline, preparation, and moral courage. He reminded America that progress is neither permanent nor self-sustaining. To me, MLK Day is a call to responsibility—a reminder that the good fight he carried forward at great personal cost must be continued, not merely remembered. As a Navy Commander and P-3 pilot, leadership meant more than rank or flight hours. It meant responsibility for the crew, the mission, and the outcome—often in conditions where there were no perfect choices. Dr. King understood that kind of command. He accepted risk not for recognition, but because silence would have been easier—and wrong. As an airline captain, I spent my career navigating airspace defined by strict rules, unseen boundaries, and shared responsibility. Flight depends on trust— n systems, training, and people doing their part. Dr. King challenged America to extend that same trust on the ground, insisting that opportunity should rest on character and commitment. Without vigilance, rights can erode. Gains left unguarded can be lost. That responsibility does not end when the uniform comes off. As a husband, father, and now a grandfather, I understand that the most enduring form of leadership is what we pass on—by example—to those who will inherit the consequences of our choices. Now, as an author, I see storytelling as another form of service. Dr. King believed that truth, clearly spoken, could move a nation. Writing allows me to examine history honestly, connect it to lived experience, and remind readers that progress is neither accidental nor inevitable—it must be protected and renewed. MLK Day tells me this: the fight for fairness, dignity, and opportunity did not end with legislation or speeches. Service takes many forms, but its purpose remains constant—to leave the air clearer than we found it and the path forward more open for those who follow.
Steven Rasin, Author and Retired Navy Commander and Pilot

Because of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s model of service and sacrifice, I have dedicated most of my adult life to serving both community and country. I am a retired veteran of the United States Air Force Reserve and a retired K–12 public school educator. I also served as a GED instructor with the Cobb County School System’s Adult Education Program, helping adults take critical steps toward economic independence. My commitment to service extended beyond the classroom as I worked with unhoused men and women at Jefferson Place and the City of Refuge in Atlanta, supporting individuals seeking stability, dignity, and hope. Today, I am honored to serve as the State Senator for Georgia Senate District 33 in Cobb County. I am proud to continue Dr. King’s work. My hope is that my leadership and dedication to our community reflects the very principles Dr. King championed—justice, equity, and service to others. Dr. King taught us that everyone can be great because everyone can serve. I strive to live that lesson every day through public service rooted in compassion, accountability, and community uplift.
Honorable Michael Rhett, Georgia State Senator, District 33

Martin Luther King’s legacy that is so meaningful to me was his work to build a “Beloved Community” with a goal of a global society based on justice, equity, and unconditional love, where all people are interconnected, respected, and free from poverty and hate, achieved through nonviolent action, reconciliation, and a commitment to justice as a presence of love.  My personal faith is based on the Unitarian Universalist principles that also have love at the center as we work for equity and justice for all and recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person, echoes of Martin Luther King’s dream for us as a Beloved Community. Since coming to Cobb County, I have been active in a number of organizations working toward those goals and in particular, organizing the Cobb Coalition for Public Safety working with local law enforcement agencies with a goal of equal policing approaches for all citizens regardless of race, gender, or gender orientation… policing that puts being a community Guardian ahead of being a Warrior. My additional work since 2022 has been focused on Voter Protection…working to ensure that all who are qualified to vote have easy access to voting with adequate locations, adequate hours, and Sunday voting to ensure that all of our citizens can have their voices heard…all with the goal of working toward our Beloved Community.
Sally Riddle, Cobb County Activist