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This week, a16z cofounder Ben Horowitz had a rare and invaluable conversation with Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a pivotal figure in American history. Dr. Jones, who served as speechwriter, attorney, and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shared his personal insights on race, inclusion, and the lasting legacy of the civil rights movement in 2025.In their wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Jones reflected on the timeless wisdom of Dr. King, quoting one of the most enduring lines from the "I Have a Dream" speech: “I want my four children to be judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin.”“That, to me, is still, that's the template,” Dr. Jones said. “That still remains a template.”Their conversation covered critical themes in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, delving into the history of the movement, the lessons from "Letter from Birmingham Jail," and the profound impact Dr. King's work continues to have today.It was a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who not only witnessed history but played a key role in shaping it, and we hope you enjoy it. About Dr. Clarence B. Jones:Dr. Clarence B. Jones served as legal counsel, strategic advisor, and draft speechwriter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1960 until Dr. King's assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. During that time, Dr. King depended on Dr. Jones for legal and strategic counsel and assistance in drafting landmark speeches and public testimony. He is credited with writing the first seven paragraphs of the iconic I Have A Dream speech. Across the decades following Dr. King's assassination in 1968, Clarence B. Jones worked to carry on Dr. King's legacy, to continue the nonviolent struggle for social justice, voting rights, and democratic inclusion. He is the founder of the Dr. Clarence B. Jones Institute for Social Advocacy, and also serves as the Founding Director Emeritus of the Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco. Dr. Jones is also the author of three acclaimed books "What Would Martin Say?", "Behind the Dream: The Making of the Speech that Transformed a Nation" and "Last of the Lions". Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zBen on X: http://twitter.com/bhorowitzFind a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithioPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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February is Black History Month. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday was in January. Around this time, we often see his quotes circulate on social media. And we also hear about his legacy as an activist and a minister, and his fight for civil rights in the U.S. Today, we're going to listen back to a recent interview with Clarence B. Jones. Clarence B. Jones was one of the many giants of the civil rights movement. He served as personal counsel to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was also his speech writer and personal friend. John Henry Smith spoke with him earlier this year about his work in the civil rights movement and we'll hear about his thoughts of where civil rights is today. GUESTS Clarence B. Jones: civil rights activist, attorney and speech writer John Henry Smith: Host of All Things Considered at Connecticut Public Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr: minister of United Church on the Green in New Haven Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Street Soldiers Radio honors Clarence B. Jones-Martin Luther King, Jr.'s lawyer and speechwriter and author of his newest book, Last of the Lions with guest Jonathan Greenberg.
This Saturday, August 26th, will mark the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. While many of the original people who marched are long gone... there is one man who is still alive and who played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement as Martin Luther King's speech writer: Clarence B. Jones. Timothy Bella from the Washington Post had the unique opportunity to sit down with Clarence and he joins Boyd to share his story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Clarence B. Jones-lawyer, strategic advisor, and speechwriter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. joins Street Soldiers Radio as we celebrate Dr. King's birthday and continue to fight for justice for all. The post Street Soldiers Radio: We Have a Dream appeared first on Alive and Free.
Clarence B. Jones discusses his role in the historic Attica Prison Rebellion and massacre that took place 50 years ago as prisoners continue to fight for their rights. The post Street Soldiers Radio: Understanding Attica with Clarence B. Jones appeared first on Alive and Free.
Over the last year, we've heard growing demand across the planet to change the narrative on issues from racism, poverty and capitalism - to climate change, health care and biodiversity. But what, exactly, does that mean? What are narratives? How do they influence the way we live and work? And how the heck do you change one?That's what we discuss in this episode, with Sean Gibbons, CEO of The Communications Network. His organization connects, gathers, and informs leaders working in communications for good in order to advance the missions and impact of foundations and nonprofits. Before joining the Network, Sean held senior positions at several policy think tanks in Washington and worked as an award-winning news producer for CNN. If you have any interest in social change, you need to hear what Sean has to say. Not only does he share some incredible resources with us, including the strategic toolkit Storytelling for Good (developed with the Rockefeller Foundation and Hattaway Communications), and a brand new platform for diversity, equity and inclusion – but he also tells an amazing story of how - exactly - social change leaders used stories to change the narrative on a global human rights issue - marriage. The Communications Network has some terrific resources - it's definitely worth checking out. And, if you know of any social good organizations who did amazing work to make a difference this year, Sean invites you to nominate them for the Clarence B. Jones award.
Susan Vandergriff walked away from a seventeen-year career as a banker because something was missing in her life. She went back to school, studied social work, and ended up with a part-time office manager job at a new organization called A Step Ahead Chattanooga, whose mission was to provide free reproductive health care to women who weren’t ready to become pregnant. In just a few years she was running the organization. This week she takes the virtual stage at the Communications Network’s virtual gathering ComNetworkV to accept the Clarence B. Jones Impact Award which is given annually by The Communications Network to a social sector individual, team, or organization whose work best represents the extraordinary impact of our craft. Susan gave us a sneak preview of her amazing story, which is just another reminder of how lucky we are to be in the field of social change.
Susan Vandergriff walked away from a seventeen-year career as a banker because something was missing in her life. She went back to school, studied social work, and ended up with a part-time office manager job at a new organization called A Step Ahead Chattanooga, whose mission was to provide free reproductive health care to women who weren’t ready to become pregnant. In just a few years she was running the organization. This week she takes the virtual stage at the Communications Network’s virtual gathering ComNetworkV to accept the Clarence B. Jones Impact Award which is given annually by The Communications Network to a social sector individual, team, or organization whose work best represents the extraordinary impact of our craft. Susan gave us a sneak preview of her amazing story, which is just another reminder of how lucky we are to be in the field of social change.
What would Dr. King think about what is happening today? Guests—Clarence B. Jones-Dr. King’s personal attorney and speech writer and Omegas Bobbi Brown, Langston Reece, Armond Hervey, Masiyah Edwards, Josephine Harper and Kevin Lindsay. Join us on Facebook.com/StayAliveAndFree at 8pm PST on June 28th, 2020 to watch the discussion. The post Street Soldiers Radio on Zoom: What would Dr. King think about what is happening today? appeared first on Alive and Free.
Street Soldiers Radio celebrates Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday with Dr. Clarence B. Jones, his personal lawyer. He shares his wisdom and insight with us and answers our Leadership Academy students’ questions. Please enjoy and celebrate with us. www.StayAliveAnd Free.org The post Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. in 2020 appeared first on Alive and Free.
In 2018, Desmond Meade helped pull off the unthinkable. He united Florida voters by leading the campaign to pass Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen’s initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. The initiative passed by nearly thirty percentage points – a rout in a state that is famous for being split down the middle. The following year Desmond was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. In October of 2019, Desmond received the Clarence B. Jones Impact Award from the Communications Network. The award is presented to a leader who has used strategic communications and data to demonstrably elevate and advance issues, influence attitudes and beliefs, and inspire action in pursuit of social change. In this special edition of Let’s Hear It, we present Desmond’s acceptance speech, which co-host Eric Brown called one of the “most exciting and meaningful twenty-seven minutes I have ever experienced.” Desmond tells the story of his own struggles with addiction, incarceration, and redemption, and leaves us all with an extraordinary lesson about how to unite people across their differences. You absolutely, positively don’t want to miss this episode.
Intro by Dr. Clarence B. Jones.
In 2018, Desmond Meade helped pull off the unthinkable. He united Florida voters by leading the campaign to pass Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen’s initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. The initiative passed by nearly thirty percentage points – a rout in a state that is famous for being split down the middle. The following year Desmond was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. In October of 2019, Desmond received the Clarence B. Jones Impact Award from the Communications Network. The award is presented to a leader who has used strategic communications and data to demonstrably elevate and advance issues, influence attitudes and beliefs, and inspire action in pursuit of social change. In this special edition of Let’s Hear It, we present Desmond’s acceptance speech, which co-host Eric Brown called one of the “most exciting and meaningful twenty-seven minutes I have ever experienced.” Desmond tells the story of his own struggles with addiction, incarceration, and redemption, and leaves us all with an extraordinary lesson about how to unite people across their differences. You absolutely, positively don’t want to miss this episode.
"The Letter from Birmingham Jail became immortal from this combination of very odd circumstances." Clarence B. Jones, Martin Luther King Jr.’s lawyer and occasional speechwriter, describes how he smuggled the letter.
Clarence B. Jones, Martin Luther King Jr.’s lawyer and occasional speechwriter, describes how he smuggled the letter out of jail.
Street Soldiers Radio celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 90th birthday with phone guest, Clarence B. Jones, Dr. King’s personal attorney and speech writer. Also, we recap with All of Us or None about their event on prison reform. The post Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. appeared first on Alive and Free.
In Episode 22, Clarence B. Jones, speechwriter to Martin Luther King, Jr., talks about America’s need for moral courage.
How do we have difficult conversations about race in America today? In our debut episode, Clarence B. Jones, a close advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr., discusses what it was like to work with King in the 1960s and why Americans continue to grapple with talking about race. Then, we listen in as three Institute Fellows explore what the US can learn from countries like South Africa when it comes to confronting the darker parts of our history. Finally, we introduce you to a first-generation American who’s defying the odds and achieving her goals through a college education. Follow the show on Twitter @aspeninstitute and Facebook at facebook.com/aspeninstitute.
Tonight Street Soldiers Radio discusses the aftermath of Charlottesville, VA with special guests, reporter A.C. Thompson and Clarence B. Jones, former advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. The post Charlottesville- The Aftermath appeared first on Alive and Free.
Trendbubbles Dutch Trends & Lifestyle Podcast | Nederlandse podcast met Desiree Castelijn
In de podcast episode van vandaag vertel ik je over mijn prachtige ontmoeting met de speechschrijver van Martin Luther King. Clarence B. Jones deelt zijn tips en inspiratiebronnen die hij onder andere gebruikte voor de wereldberoemde ‘I have a dream' speech. Ik werd samen met een select gezelschap bloggers door ABN AMRO in de […] The post 027 – Hoe Schrijf Je een Goede Speech appeared first on Trendbubbles.
We honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this year with a chat Clarence B. Jones, MLK’s own speech writer and lawyer. He shares fond memories and of a man who inspired so many with powerful words and non-violent demonstrations. Our guests are local spoken word celebrities who encourage our communities to think and to move… The post Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. appeared first on Alive and Free.
ComNet15: Dr. Clarence B. Jones by The Communications Network
Clarence B. Jones oral history interview conducted by David P. Cline in Palo Alto, California, 2013-04-15.
Clarence B. Jones
Clarence B Jones: Clarinet Concerto in A – Mozart; The Glory of Love - Otis Redding
Suzy Klein with pop star Rick Astley and poet Elvis McGonagall; interviews with a woman who found out at the age of 18 that her father was not the man who'd raised but a famous novelist instead. There's a Crowdscape from Letchworth, Britain's first Garden City and home of the country's first roundabout, and Inheritance Tracks from Clarence B Jones, the man who helped Martin Luther King write his 'I Have a Dream' speech.