Build the Dream: The Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr National Memorial Project

The National Mall in Washington D.C is made up of one of the nation's largest parkland's. It is home to the Vietnam veterans , Korean War , and World War Two Memorials ,as well as The Washington Monument , Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Museum . All of these monuments commemorate the lives and works of men who have given in great sacrifice to this country and created a change for the better in our lives. The National Mall has been home to protests, that ultimately changed the face of history as well. In a place that seems to harbor so much goodwill toward change one might have wondered where the monuments are to those who have given so much to the citizens of this country through tireless civil rights leadership, but they need wonder no longer.

An organization called The Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr National Memorial Project has begun to raise funds to build just such a monument in honor of Dr. King. The goal according to the website is to build a monument, but they may well be making history! In September 2007 the 'Dream Concert' fundraiser for the memorial at Radio City Music Hall sold out with performances by Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana , Stevie Wonder and Garth Books topping the bill. Viacom has become one of the biggest project supporters donating a million dollars in funds and another half a million in media support to help reach the projects goal of 100 million dollars. Other large contributors have been General Motors at ten million dollars and Tommy Hilfiger at five million dollars. Don't feel outclassed by all these corporate sponsors, though, The Build The Dream Store and Donation page offer opportunities for those of us with smaller purses to make a contribution, too!