Rise Economy CEO Paulina Gonzalez-Brito released the following statement for Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

“Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote these powerful words in 1963 from a Birmingham jail cell, where he was imprisoned for courageously marching against segregation. In 2025, as we begin a new era in American politics, his questions remain as urgent as ever.

Today, we reflect on his legacy while recommitting ourselves to the fight for justice and equity.

Dr. King’s words remind us that resisting systems of oppression and working toward an equitable future is a choice we must make daily. It’s not enough to envision change – we must turn our collective action into real, measurable progress.

At Rise Economy, we are answering Dr. King’s call by advancing bold solutions that center justice and equity such as unlocking critical capital for BIPOC small business owners and securing hundreds of billions in Community Benefits Agreements to reinvest equitably into the communities where banks do business.

However, a new wave of threats looms on the horizon – mass deportations, rollbacks of financial protections, and the dismantling of systems of accountability. These dangerous policies risk undoing the progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve, leaving our communities vulnerable to unchecked corporate exploitation and harm.

On this day, we are reminded that our work is far from over. Dr. King’s dream demands action. Together, we must resist systems of injustice, ensure reinvestment in our neighborhoods and build resilient communities where all people can thrive.

In the spirit of Dr. King, we will continue to fight for an equitable future – for those who are vulnerable, marginalized, excluded and historically redlined. The road ahead may be difficult, but we will walk it together.