Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A new year presents infinite possibilities. It's an opportunity to reflect upon the past, learn from our experiences and look to the future with hope, optimism, and courage.

Today, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a fervent optimist and courageous crusader for justice. The civil rights movement he inspired was rooted in the principles of unity, understanding, and compassion.

The embodiment of incredible resilience in the face of racism and violence, he overcame adversity with passion, resolve, and strength. The impact of his legacy is palpable today and every day as we continue to have important conversations about inclusion, equality, and social justice.

Dr. King said, "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

Hope was his greatest motivator – he believed in humanity's innate goodness and the possibility of positive social change, and those ideals powered him to use his voice to advocate for equality, justice, and peace.

Dr. King's words are more important than ever before. Hope is powerful. It enables us to imagine the possibilities and focus on the positive influence we can have on our lives and the world.

As we look to the pages of 2021 that have yet to be written, what gives you hope? This is a question that I can answer without hesitation.

I am powered by optimism. Optimism isn't just about being positive; it's a commitment to making it happen. What gives me hope is that through optimism, unity, collaborative teamwork, and the active exchange of ideas and perspectives we can create positive change in the world.

A few other iRoboteers also shared what gives them hope.

"Hope is a kid from Mississippi working for a tech company that cares enough about its people that they are willing to have difficult conversations that are affirming, informative, and insightful." – Chris Crosby

"I believe in the saying, ‘Good people bring out the good in people.’ I'm hopeful for all humans to be kind, united, equal, and prosperous. We will get better." – Michelle Gattuso

"The idea that through unity, we build strength, and that tremendous power comes from celebrating our differences and using our unique perspectives and voices to support, empower, and appreciate each other." – Russ Campanello

We can't close the chapter on the impact 2020 has had on communities of color, but we can look to Dr. King's words as inspiration and motivation to continue doing what is right by our actions, our words, and our influence.

I’m particularly thankful for the diverse community within iRobot that is raising our awareness and continuing to share their perspectives, voices, and experiences.