Skip to Content

MARTIN LUTHER KING III, ARNDREA WATERS KING, AND HECTOR SANCHEZ BARBA, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MI FAMILIA VOTA LAUNCH HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN BLACK AND BROWN POLITICAL POWER

DMI Staff

CHICAGO — Today, Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King of Drum Major Institute (DMI) and Hector Sanchez Barba of Mi Familia Vota (MFV), a leading Latino organization building political power, held a joint press conference to bring together prominent African American and Latino leaders to emphasize the need for solidarity between Black and Brown communities for a call to action in the advancement of social justice and access to the ballot. In addition to calling for policies that will uplift communities of color, DMI and MFV unveiled their new, historically unprecedented, partnership designed to elevate and address the priorities of both communities while strengthening our collective power. 

”My father spoke often about the power of unity,” said Martin Luther King III. “When we are united in our goals—for justice, economic fairness, equality, and voting rights—we have the power to transform not just our nation but the world. DMI and Mi Familia Vota are poised to bring America closer than ever to what Dad called the Beloved Community – a world based on peace, justice, and equity.” 

“We’re standing at a crossroads right now,” said Arndrea Waters King. “Hate crimes have risen to shocking levels. White supremacists feel emboldened. Hate is being legislated in statehouses across the country. Our daughters have fewer rights today than they did the day they were born. None of us can afford to be complacent or remain on the sidelines. This partnership between DMI and Mi Familia Vota is more than a strategic alliance – it is critical.” 

“Our partnership is about securing the political power that we deserve as 35% of the population, and use that political power to advance our policy priorities and demand fair representation in the most important spaces of power,” said Hector Sanchez Barba. “From immigration reform to an inclusive democracy, so much is at stake. This is also a call to action to black and brown communities to vote in historical numbers this november. Mi Familia Vota and DMI are ready to empower voters and inspire the next generation of Black and Brown leaders. We are ready to move the country forward and defeat extremism united.”

Several prominent civil rights leaders and activists joined the press conference alongside DMI and MFV, including: 

  • Hector Sanchez Barba, President and CEO of Mi Familia Vota 
  • Martin Luther King III Chair of Drum Major Institute 
  • Arndrea Waters King President of Drum Major Institute 
  • Dolores Huerta, Legendary Co Founder of the United Farm Workers Union 
  • Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President, National Action Network (NAN) 
  • Luis Miranda, Chair of Latino Victory 
  • Rashad Robinson, President of Color of Change 
  • Tom Perez, Former Secretary of Labor 
  • Becky Pringle, President, National Education Association (NEA) 
  • Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia
  • Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law  
  • Frankie Miranda, President of Hispanic Federation 
  • Maria Echaveste, President of the Opportunity Institute 
  • Evelin De Jesus, President of LCLAA
  • Mark Magaña, President of Green Latinos 
  • Amy Hinojosa, Chair of NHLA and President of MANA 
  • Marco Davis, President and CEO Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
  • Cid Wilson, President of HACR
  • Ron Estrada, President of Farmworker Justice 

More Information About DMI and MFV 

Founded in 1961 on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of a world free of racism, poverty and violence, the Drum Major Institute carries Dr. King’s work and vision of radical nonviolence into the 21st century, democratizing it for all people. DMI leads through collaboration by convening leaders and organizations to identify common-sense solutions to our most pressing problems. 

Mi Familia Vota’s mission is to advance the Latino community’s policy priorities, by mobilizing Latino power, through year-round activation of the electorate, and investment in local infrastructure.

Mi Familia Vota is fighting for a future where Latino voices shape and advance policies that promote the health, safety, and prosperity of Latino communities across the country. 

For more information, please visit drummajorinst.org and mifamiliavota.org. 

###

Back to top