Susan L. Taylor | Editor Emerita of Essence Magazine / Founder, National Cares

"I feel that I got to know Dr. King not just through what I've read by and about him, but also through the wonderful stories Coretta Scott King would share with me about him. Oh, how she loved her Martin.

"When I met him in Boston, we were both in school. He looked like a boy, and I was looking for a man," Miss Coretta said. "But when Martin spoke to me his intelligence, eloquence and respectfulness moved me. He was so humble, so gentle and kind. He made me feel important, like I was much more than I was. But that was how Martin treated everyone. He wasn't perfect, but he tried so hard to be a good person, in every aspect of his life."

Commemorating Dr. King's birthday is very special to me. I just love speaking about him and encouraging us to recommit to the ideals he had dedicated his life to: fostering peace, justice and healing our ailing world. And I believe we will succeed--for the children.