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King Center for Nonviolent Social Change

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Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Founded1968
FounderCoretta Scott King
FocusNonviolent Social Change
Location
President
Bernice King
Websitethekingcenter.org

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, commonly known as The King Center, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia.

History

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The King Center was founded in 1968 by Coretta Scott King,[1] who started the organization in the basement of the couple's home in the year following the assassination of her husband in 1968.

In 1981, the organization's headquarters were moved into the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park facility on Auburn Avenue which includes King's birth home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached from 1960 until his death.[2]

In 1994, Dexter King succeeded his mother as director of the organization.[3] In 2010, Martin Luther King III became president. [4] In 2012, King's youngest child, Bernice King, became the organization's CEO.[5]

Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Tomb in the Sweet Auburn district, preserved at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

Programs

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The King Center provides research, education and training programs on the principles, philosophy and methods of non-violence.[6][7]

Awards

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The Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize is awarded by The King Center.[8] A non-exhaustive list of recipients includes: Cesar Chavez (1973); Stanley Levison and Kenneth Kaunda (1978); Rosa Parks (1980); Martin Luther King Sr. and Richard Attenborough (1983); Corazon Aquino (1987); Mikhail Gorbachev (1991); and, on April 4, 2018 – the 50th anniversary of King's assassination – Ben Ferencz and Bryan Stevenson.[8][9]

The organization also awards the Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Award.[10][11][12]

References

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  1. ^ Gary L. Anderson, Kathryn G. Herr, Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice, SAGE Publications, USA, 2007, p. 804
  2. ^ Paul Finkelman, Encyclopedia of African American History: 5-Volume Set, Oxford University Press USA, USA, 2009, p. 97
  3. ^ Ronald Smothers (October 23, 1994). "Son of Slain Civil Rights Leader Succeeds Mother as Head of Group". nytimes.com.
  4. ^ Marcus K Garner (April 7, 2010). "King children reconcile over King Center".
  5. ^ BJ, Bernice King named King Center CEO, bizjournals.com, USA, January 9, 2012
  6. ^ Avenue, Mailing Address: 450 Auburn; Atlanta, N. E.; Us, GA 30312 Phone: 404 331-5190 x5046 Contact. "The King Center - Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2025-02-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Alston, Jasmina (2025-01-20). "March, rally held at King Center to honor legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr". Atlanta News First. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  8. ^ a b Umontuen, Itoro (2018-04-04). "The King Center honors 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize recipients". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  9. ^ "Commemorative Services". The King Center. Archived from the original on 2018-12-29. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  10. ^ Draft, Rough (2025-01-24). "AIDS Healthcare Foundation receives MLK, Jr. Social Justice Award". Rough Draft Atlanta. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  11. ^ Staff, newsone (2025-01-22). "The King Center Hosts Red Carpet Reception And MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards". NewsOne. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  12. ^ Howard, Lily. "Center for Africana Studies honors Harvard historian with MLK Jr. Social Justice Award". www.thedp.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
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