Ben Horowitz Sharing History with Dr. Clarence Jones, MLK's Speechwriter

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Feb 1, 2025

Dr. Clarence Jones, a key advisor and speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shares invaluable insights on race and inclusion. He discusses the legal challenges faced during the civil rights movement and reflects on his formative experiences with King. Jones reveals King’s humorous and relatable personality beyond his public persona. The conversation emphasizes evaluating character over cultural background and stresses the ongoing relevance of nonviolence and civil rights in today's society, making a powerful call for unity and understanding.

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INSIGHT

Value of Firsthand Accounts

History books offer a different perspective than firsthand accounts. Hearing from someone who lived through historical events is valuable.
Ben Horowitz highlights the importance of understanding history through the lens of those who experienced it.

ANECDOTE

Meeting Dr. King

Clarence Jones, an entertainment lawyer, was asked by Judge Hubert Delaney to help with Dr. King's tax evasion case.
Initially, Jones declined, but after hearing Dr. King's sermon, he changed his mind.

ANECDOTE

The Making of a Disciple

Dr. King invited Jones to his church after Jones initially declined to help.
In a powerful sermon, Dr. King recounted Jones's personal story, moving Jones to tears and ultimately convincing him to join the movement.

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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".

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