LISTEN: Earl Ingram Talks with Martin Luther King III about the Promise of Progress 

The human rights activist and his advocate wife are at the DNC in Chicago and discuss the historic opportunity for Kamala Harris

It will be a groundbreaking moment when Kamala Harris is officially recognized as the Democratic Party’s Presidential nominee. Earl Ingram, host of The Earl Ingram Show, is reflecting on the promise and challenge of progress as he talks with Martin Luther King III and His Wife, Arndrea Waters King. The couple is attending the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. 

“As a 70-year-old, I’ve witnessed history not from the pages of a textbook, but through the lived experience of struggle, triumph, and often, heartache,” Ingram says. “When I talk to young people today, I remind them that the icons of our past—like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—aren’t just figures in a book. They were real, flesh-and-blood people whose lives and actions continue to resonate in the present. These figures live within me every day, not just in moments of celebration or commemoration, but through the ongoing service I commit to my community.”

We need to create the conditions where every person has the opportunity to lift themselves up, as my father once said. But this can only happen if we are serious about addressing inequality through strategic, focused efforts.

Martin Luther King III

Ingram goes on to ask the son of the civil rights leader and his wife, both serving as activists and advocates, what they believe a Harris presidency could mean for the country.

“Harris’s position as the first Black female to potentially head our nation is monumental,” Waters King replies. “Yet, this moment is also set against a backdrop of immense rollback and pushback against the progress we have fought so hard to achieve.”

“What Kamala Harris’s rise symbolizes is more than just a personal victory. It is a testament to our nation’s continued commitment to democracy, equity, and the eradication of the triple evils: poverty, violence, and racism,” Waters King adds. “Her platform represents a vision for the future—one rooted in peace, justice, and equity, as opposed to the divisiveness that has plagued us.”

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“I am aware of the dangers of placing too much expectation on one individual,” Ingram says. “The stark realities of racial inequity in America are sobering. In my lifetime, I’ve seen incremental progress, like the election of Barack Obama, and now, potentially, Kamala Harris. Yet, the wealth gap between Black and white Americans remains vast, with the average white household holding $260,000 compared to just $40,000 for the average Black family.”

“This gap will not close through the leadership of one person alone,” King responds. “True progress requires collective action—leadership from religious communities, political figures, business leaders, and grassroots organizers alike. We need to create the conditions where every person has the opportunity to lift themselves up, as my father once said. But this can only happen if we are serious about addressing inequality through strategic, focused efforts.”

“In comparing the choices before us, we see a stark contrast. On one hand, we have those who thrive on disruption and division. On the other, leaders like Kamala Harris who are committed to inclusivity, to bringing everyone to the table, and to building a nation where everyone has a chance to succeed,” King says. “This is the America my father envisioned—not a return to some imagined greatness, but a future where the nation truly becomes great for all its people.”

“For the younger generations, those who may not know much about Dr. King or even Barack Obama, isn’t it crucial that they understand the deep connection between their future and our shared history,” Ingram asks. 

“Despite the challenges, I find hope in this younger generation. They are leading movements, pushing for change, and they see the world not from the top-down but in a circular, equitable way,” Waters King tells Ingram.

“This generation understands that while Kamala Harris’s leadership is significant, it is not about seeking a savior,” Waters King says. “They know that true change comes from community, from working together to build the future we all deserve.”

“I remain hopeful. I believe we are on the cusp of witnessing the rise of the greatest generation this country has ever seen—a generation that understands the power of unity, equity, and collective action,” Ingram exclaims. “It is up to all of us to continue the fight, to challenge our nation to live up to its creed, and to ensure that the progress we make is not just for some, but for all.”

Ingram ends by saying, “God bless you. It’s been an honor to live through this history, to fight these battles, and to witness the dawn of a new chapter in our nation’s story.”