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Dr. Wendy Ellis Delivers Keynote Address at National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s MLK Legacy Celebration
On January 20, 2025, Dr. Wendy Ellis, Director of the Institute for Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Equity (Equity Institute), delivered a keynote address at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Celebration in Cincinnati. This year’s theme, "Passing the Torch," emphasized the importance of continuing Dr. King’s work for economic and social justice across generations.
The event, themed “Passing the Torch,” served as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and policymakers to carry forward Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and economic empowerment. Speaking to a sold-out audience of more than 300 people, Dr. Ellis emphasized the importance of an unwavering commitment to justice in a time of growing social and political challenges.
“Despite politics of the day, the light of social justice must continue to burn bright,” Dr. Ellis stated.
Her speech reflected Dr. King’s legacy, particularly his work in the Poor People’s Campaign, which sought to address economic injustice as a fundamental pillar of civil rights.
The "Three R’s": A Framework for Justice
In her speech, Dr. Ellis introduced the framework of the "Three R’s"—Resolve, Repair, and Restore—as interconnected principals to address the persistent social and economic inequities in our society and guide us toward meaningful and lasting change:
- Resolve: This involves the courage to confront systemic injustice head-on. Dr. Ellis said that leadership demands boldness—a willingness to stand firm against opposition and advocate for the marginalized. This resolve, she stated, is exemplified by organizations like Apple and Costco, which have implemented initiatives to prioritize equity and inclusion in their practices. Their actions remind us that courage is not only about words but also about bold, transformative steps that inspire others to join in on the fight for justice. Social justice leaders must embody this courage, paving the way for systemic transformation through their vision and determination.
- Repair: Dr. Ellis shared that it is not enough to acknowledge the damage done; we must also focus our resources where they are needed most— addressing issues like housing disparities, access to quality education, and economic inequality. Repair means investing in places and people to build systems that provide opportunity and hope. These efforts must be strategic and specific, recognizing that true justice requires a commitment to lifting up those who have been left behind.
- Restore: Dr. Ellis stated that restoration is the ultimate goal of leadership: to bring back dignity and create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive. Restoration involves breaking down systemic barriers, addressing injustices, and empowering people to reach their full potential. It is about creating a society where everyone feels valued, respected, and capable of achieving their dreams. Through this work, we can illuminate a path toward a future that is not only more just but is also more compassionate and inclusive. The journey towards social justice requires all of us, leaders, organizations, and communities to embrace this framework and act with urgency.
With resolve, repair, and restoration as our guiding principles, Dr. Ellis advanced that we can build a movement that not only addresses the injustices of the past, but also ensures a brighter future for generations to come. Now is the time to act boldly, invest strategically, and restore hope where it has been lost.
Together, Dr. Ellis said, we can lead the next generation of social justice and make Dr. King’s legacy a living reality.
Addressing the Wealth Gap
A significant focus of Dr. Ellis’s work has been addressing the city’s wealth gap, a critical issue tied to systemic disinvestment, redlining, mass incarceration, and wage disparities. In her keynote, she pointed out two critical statistics:
“While Black Americans make up 44% of Cincinnati’s population, nearly half—47%—of Black families in the city live in poverty.”
This stark reality, she emphasized, is not accidental but the result of centuries of systemic disinvestment, discriminatory policies, and racialized barriers to economic opportunity.
To combat these disparities, Dr. Ellis advocates for policies that promote homeownership, fair access to capital, and generational wealth-building initiatives—strategies that align with Dr. King’s later calls for economic justice. She also praised local corporations like Kroger and Procter & Gamble for leveraging their platforms to advance social responsibility and economic equity.
Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy
Dr. Ellis’s address reinforced a critical—but often overlooked—element of Dr. King’s later activism: his relentless focus on economic justice.
In his final years, Dr. King launched the Poor People’s Campaign, a movement demanding fair wages, housing security, and economic opportunity for all marginalized communities.
He understood that racial justice and economic justice are deeply intertwined—one cannot exist without the other.
Before his assassination, he was in Memphis supporting Black sanitation workers, who were fighting for fair wages and humane working conditions. Speaking on this, Dr. Ellis stated:
“Dr. King knew that civil rights didn’t stop at voting booths—it extended to paychecks, homeownership, education, and economic mobility. If we truly honor his legacy, we must fight for policies that uplift the communities he dedicated his life to serving.”
Dr. Ellis’s remarks challenged the audience to consider what “Passing the Torch” truly means in today’s fight for economic and racial equity.
Local Leaders and Corporate Responsibility
Dr. Ellis also praised local organizations and businesses in Cincinnati that are actively working to address economic disparities. She highlighted initiatives from companies like Kroger and Procter & Gamble, which have made public commitments to supplier diversity, workforce equity, and community reinvestment.
However, she challenged corporate leaders to go beyond statements and ensure their efforts create measurable impact:
“Corporate social responsibility cannot be just a tagline. If companies truly care about equity, they must put dollars behind their words.”
She encouraged businesses to create mentorship pipelines, offer financial literacy programs, and support policies that advance racial and economic justice.
A Call to Action: Carrying the Torch Forward
Dr. Ellis closed her keynote with a powerful challenge to attendees:
“Dr. King’s dream was not just about unity—it was about justice. About equity. About dismantling barriers to opportunity. That torch has been passed to us. The question is: What will we do with it?”
The audience responded with a standing ovation, a testament to the urgency and power of her message.
Dr. Ellis’s speech served as a striking reminder that Dr. King’s dream was not just about civil rights but also economic justice. King’s advocacy for fair wages, affordable housing, and wealth-building opportunities for Black Americans remains deeply relevant today. By uplifting communities through policies that foster financial stability and self-sufficiency, Dr. Ellis urges us and future generations to continue the work that Dr. King championed and, together, forge onward in creating a more just society.
Watch Dr. Ellis’s Full Speech
For those who missed the event, Dr. Ellis’s full keynote address is available here:
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Dr. Ellis and her team at GWU are partnering with city leaders, community advocates, and corporate stakeholders to align place-based investments that drive economic, health, and social progress, working to close the wealth gap in Cincinnati and cities nationwide.