Dr. Lerone Martin Explores Dr King’s Legacy Through Cooperativism

October 22, 2026 This week's Dr. Lerone A. Martin, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor in Religious Studies and Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University is the featured guest. Vernon and Dr. Martin explore how Dr. King’s legacy of social justice, economic empowerment, and collective action connects to the cooperative movement and its mission to build stronger communities. Dr. Martin is an award-winning author and scholar whose research examines African American religion, history, and politics. His 2023 book, The Gospel of J. Edgar Hoover: How the FBI Aided and Abetted the Rise of White Christian Nationalism, published by Princeton University Press, received praise from numerous publications. His earlier book, Preaching on Wax: The Phonograph and the Making of Modern African American Religion (2014), received the American Society of Church History’s First Book Award. Dr. Martin has received prestigious fellowships from organizations including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies. He is also Co-Director of the Crossroads Project, a four-year, multi-institution initiative supported by a $1 million Henry Luce Foundation grant to advance public understanding of African American religions. His commentary has appeared on NBC, PBS, and The History Channel, as well as in The New York Times and other major publications. He also serves as Senior Editor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project and advises an upcoming PBS documentary series on gospel music and preaching.