A note from Anthony Foxx, Chief Policy Officer and Senior Advisor to the President and CEO at Lyft

Today, we remember, honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said that life’s most persistent question is – what are you doing for others? Dr. King inspired people from different religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to rally together in the fight for human rights for black Americans and in doing so pushed our nation to become more inclusive. Here at Lyft and across our country, we still have so much work to do. 

The tragic killing of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, the senseless attacks on Asian Americans, and, most recently, the horrific attack on the Capitol have reminded us, as Dr. King did, that “Humanity is caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” We, therefore, have a responsibility to protect the rights of others and expand opportunity with the knowledge that doing so ensures the protection of our own rights and expansion of our own opportunities.  

As an African American, I remain hopeful that the past year has sensitized more people to the unique way in which our culture sometimes devalues black life. That’s not only true in the case of criminal justice but in a range of areas, including even the workplace. Dr. King urged us to work towards a society in which no life is devalued on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, gender, sexual orientation or any other difference. He understood that our tolerance of inequity, injustice and unfairness ultimately hurts all of us. That’s why it is so important for us to recommit to this mission in our daily lives, as members of the Lyft team and as members of our society. We have the opportunity to express through our words and deeds the same aspiration that Dr. King expressed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.  

On this day, and everyday, we encourage our Lyft family to honor Dr. King’s legacy and uplift those around us. A great way to take action is to support a cause that means something to you and has an impact on your community. Check out these local volunteer opportunities and events happening near you. You can also donate to a cause working on racial justice and inclusion issues through Lyft’s Round Up & Donate feature.

Increasingly, the extent to which we make progress is up to each of us. We all have the power to make our company, community and society better. On this day, we will no doubt see and hear the momentous climax of Dr. King’s great 1963 speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Read the whole speech and absorb its present day relevance. While much work remains, we can all pick up the mantle in our own ways and continue the march towards equality and justice by our own commitment to action. 

Will you join us?

Anthony Foxx is the Chief Policy Officer and Senior Advisor to the President and CEO at Lyft. In his role, Anthony works alongside Lyft's co-founders and executive team -- at the intersection of transportation policy, technology, and public-private partnerships -- to expand affordable mobility options and improve people's lives with the world's best transportation.