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

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4.4 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 1 February 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

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Summary

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.

Transcript

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0:00.0	I want my four children to be judged by the content of the character, not by the color of their skin.
0:10.0	That, to me, is still, that's the template.
0:15.8	Hello, A16Z podcast listeners.
0:18.3	Today, we've got a very special bonus episode from an exclusive event
0:22.3	recorded this week, where our co-founder Ben Horowitz had the rare opportunity to sit down with
0:27.7	Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a pivotal figure in American history, who, among other things, served
0:34.2	as Dr. Martin Luther King's draft speechwriter. In fact, he's credited with writing the
0:39.8	first seven paragraphs of the iconic I Have a Dream speech. If you think about it, this speech
0:46.3	is one of the most iconic in history, and among the few that not only changed the world during
0:51.4	its time, but one where its legacy continues to sway culture
0:55.0	decades later. And that means that Dr. Jones not only witnessed history, but he literally
1:00.6	wrote it. And today, you'll get to hear Dr. Jones reflect on his time with Dr. Martin Luther
1:06.2	King, including how he thinks Dr. King would interpret the challenges of today.
1:11.7	Finally, here is our very own Megan Holston-Alexander, who leads our cultural leadership fund
1:16.8	to properly introduce Dr. Jones and his legacy. I hope you enjoy.
1:23.6	As a reminder, the content here is for informational purposes only.
1:37.0	Should not be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any A16Z fund.
1:42.9	Please note that A16Z and its affiliates may also maintain investments in the companies discussed in this podcast. For more details, including a link
1:44.9	to our investments, please see A16C.com slash Disclosures.
1:53.8	I have the very distinct honor of introducing the conversation tonight between Ben Horowitz and Dr.
1:59.7	Clarence Jones. Now, I got to meet Dr. Jones
2:03.0	just a couple of months ago, and he asked me where I was from. I said Montgomery, Alabama.
	...

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