Dr. Alveda King: Happy New Year, Happy Birthday Uncle

Dr. Alveda King : Jan 16, 2026
Alveda King Ministries

"I believe if Uncle Martin Luther were here with us today, he would remind us to be kind to humanity and to take care of the least of these. I'm sure he wouldn't be happy about people arguing and fighting about a holiday for him. I know God isn't happy about any discord. As my uncle would say: 'We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.' He believed in the American Dream. I still do." -Alveda King

[AlvedaKing.com] Happy New Year Everyone. [Yesterday was] my uncle's 97th birthday. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was born on January 15, 1929. He was the middle child of three siblings, born to Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Daddy King was a preacher. He and his wife birthed first my Aunt Christine, then my Uncle Martin (ML), and then my father Alfred (AD King). (Image: via The Elijah List /Alveda King)

[Thursday] also mark[ed] the forty-third anniversary of the MLK Federal Holiday, established in his honor in 1983. Trivia note: I was a Georgia State Legislator at the time.

Along with the obvious blood ties, Uncle ML and I are "birth month buddies." My son Eddie and dearly departed cousin Dexter were also "January babies."

While there has often been controversy and debate surrounding the MLK Holiday, I like to remind people that the very best way to honor the memory of my uncle, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is to remember that he loved God and served God to the best of his ability during his lifetime.

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I believe if Uncle ML were here with us today, he would remind us to be kind to humanity and to take care of the least of these. I'm sure he wouldn't be happy about people arguing and fighting about a holiday for him. I know God isn't happy about any discord. As my uncle would say: "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." He believed in the American Dream. I still do.

Every January, I join our family in Atlanta for MLK Holiday events.

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Here at the United States Department of Agriculture, I am grateful to be a "Trump Appointee" in the Faith Center. Serving under Secretary Brooke Rollins, I believe that rather than contending with each other over important dates and what to celebrate and what to hold in esteem during this season, it is most appropriate to thank God for life here on the earth in America. We must put American Agriculture First - always under God. Then we can extend our help and benevolence around the world.

Next week the annual March for Life and surrounding activities will take place. Please pray for and with us.

There's also ongoing controversy regarding whether we should celebrate an occasion called Black History or African American History Month in February. Actually, there is reason to celebrate every aspect of human life, every ethnicity, every community celebrating life from the womb to the tomb, and beyond. We are one blood/one human race (Acts 17:26). Skin color racism is socially engineered.

With me being very aware of my ethnicity, not only attached to the African American community, but to Ireland and Native American blood through my ancestry, I am just thankful to be alive.

Finally, is very important for everyone to honor God and be grateful for and to take care of the land to have healthy spirits, souls, bodies, and relationships. The Bible says, beloved I desire above all things that you prosper and be in good health, even as your souls prosper.

So, for this month, January, and beyond, let's reflect on what remains. Let's thank God for what we have left and let us be kind to each other and to the land.

My grandfather often reminded us to "thank God for what we have left." Just look around you and as you reflect upon what you've lost, please take a moment to pray, and to consider what you have to gain. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here