History of Martin Luther King III in Timeline

Martin Luther King III, the son of civil rights icons Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, is a prominent American human rights activist and philanthropist. He carried on his parents' legacy by leading the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as its president and continues to champion social justice causes. Currently, he imparts his knowledge and experience as a Professor of practice at the University of Virginia.

October 23, 1957: Birth of Martin Luther King III

Martin Luther King III, the elder son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, was born on October 23, 1957.

1979: Graduation from Morehouse College

Martin Luther King III graduated with a B.A. in political science from Morehouse College in 1979, the same institution attended by his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

June 26, 1985: Arrest at South African Embassy Protest

On June 26, 1985, Martin Luther King III, along with his mother Coretta Scott King and sister Bernice King, were arrested during an anti-apartheid protest at the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.

January 7, 1986: Arrest at Winn Dixie Supermarket

On January 7, 1986, Martin Luther King III and his sisters were arrested for "disorderly conduct" during a protest at a Winn Dixie supermarket.

June 9, 1986: Candidacy Announcement for Fulton County Commission

On June 9, 1986, Martin Luther King III announced his candidacy for the Fulton County Commission, marking the first direct involvement in politics by a member of his immediate family.

1987: Beginning of Term on Fulton County Commission

This year marked the beginning of Martin Luther King III's term on the Fulton County Commission, serving from 1987 to 1993.

1989: Opposition to the Death Penalty

Alongside Kerry Kennedy, Martin Luther King III voiced his opposition to the death penalty in 1989.

1990: Re-election to Fulton County Commission

Martin Luther King III was re-elected to the Fulton County Commission in 1990.

1993: Founding of the Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc.

Martin Luther King III participated in the founding of the Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc. in 1993, a company responsible for managing the licensing of his father's image and intellectual property.

1993: Defeat in Fulton County Commission Election

Martin Luther King III was defeated in a special election for the chairmanship of the Fulton County Commission in 1993.

1997: Elected President of SCLC

In 1997, Martin Luther King III was elected as the fourth president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization founded by his father.

1997: Leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

In 1997, Martin Luther King III was elected to lead the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), focusing on combating police brutality and establishing new chapters.

1999: King Becomes Chairman of Drum Major Institute

In 1999, Martin Luther King III became the Chairman of the Drum Major Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting his father's vision of a world without racism, poverty, and violence. The institute, a successor to the Harry Wachtel Foundation, aims to eradicate these issues through the values of peace, justice, and equity.

January 2000: Prostate Cancer Testing Advocacy

Martin Luther King III joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in January 2000 to advocate for prostate cancer testing among African-American men, participating in a public testing event.

April 4, 2000: Visit to Martin Luther King Jr.'s Tomb

On April 4, 2000, the anniversary of his father's assassination, Martin Luther King III, along with his mother, siblings, and aunt, visited Martin Luther King Jr.'s tomb.

August 5, 2001: SCLC Leaders Pledge Support for King

On August 5, 2001, after a brief suspension, Martin Luther King III received pledges of support from prominent SCLC leaders, including Rev. Joseph Lowery, Andrew Young, and Rev. Jesse Jackson, during a rally in Montgomery, Alabama. King outlined his plans for the organization, focusing on issues like racial profiling, prisoners' rights, and the digital divide.

2004: End of Term as SCLC President

This year marked the end of Martin Luther King III's tenure as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

February 5, 2006: Super Bowl XL Coin Toss Ceremony

On February 5, 2006, at Super Bowl XL, King, alongside nieces and nephews of Rosa Parks, presented the ceremonial coin. The event also featured a tribute to Parks and Coretta Scott King and a performance by Dr. John, Aaron Neville, and Aretha Franklin.

May 2006: Marriage to Arndrea Waters

In May 2006, Martin Luther King III married his longtime partner, Arndrea Waters.

2006: King Founds Realizing The Dream

In 2006, Martin Luther King III founded Realizing The Dream, an organization dedicated to carrying on his father's legacy. This organization aims to eliminate poverty and promote social justice, reflecting the key principles of Martin Luther King Jr.'s work.

March 29, 2008: First Pitch at the MLB Civil Rights Game

On March 29, 2008, King threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Major League Baseball Civil Rights Game.

April 4, 2008: King Leads March, Visits Lorraine Motel

On April 4, 2008, the fortieth anniversary of his father's death, Martin Luther King III and Al Sharpton led a march in Memphis, Tennessee. King visited the Lorraine Motel for the first time since his father's assassination, laid a wreath, and called for continued efforts to achieve his father's dream of eliminating poverty.

May 25, 2008: Birth of Yolanda Renee King

On May 25, 2008, Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters welcomed their daughter, Yolanda Renee King. She is the first and only grandchild of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

July 2008: King and Sister Sue Brother Dexter

In July 2008, Martin Luther King III and his sister Bernice filed a lawsuit against their brother, Dexter, accusing him of financial impropriety related to their parents' estate and the Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc., where Dexter served as president. The lawsuit alleged mismanagement of assets and lack of transparency, leading to a public and contentious legal battle within the King family.

August 18, 2008: Dexter King Countersues Siblings

The family dispute escalated on August 18, 2008, when Dexter King countersued Martin and Bernice. He accused them of misusing King Center assets, breaching their fiduciary duties, and exploiting their parents' legacy for personal gain. The countersuit further intensified the legal battle and public scrutiny surrounding the King family.

August 28, 2008: Speech at the Democratic National Convention

On August 28, 2008, Martin Luther King III delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention in support of Barack Obama's presidential candidacy, marking the 45th anniversary of his father's "I Have a Dream" speech.

October 2008: King Family Remains Estranged

By October 2008, the rift within the King family remained apparent, with Martin Luther King III and his brother Dexter estranged and communication limited. The ongoing legal battle cast a shadow over the family's relationships and their efforts to uphold their parents' legacy.

2008: Continued Role in Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc.

As of 2008, Martin Luther King III remained a commissioner in the Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc.

January 19, 2009: Community Service with Barack Obama

On January 19, 2009, Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday, Martin Luther King III joined President Barack Obama in a day of community service, painting and refurbishing a homeless youth shelter in Washington D.C.

February 2009: Trip to India

Fifty years after his parents' visit, Martin Luther King III traveled to India in February 2009, leading a delegation that included John Lewis and Andrew Young.

July 7, 2009: Tribute at Michael Jackson's Memorial Service

Martin Luther King III paid tribute at Michael Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009.

October 2009: King Siblings Settle Lawsuit

In October 2009, Martin Luther King III and his siblings, Bernice and Dexter, reached an out-of-court settlement in their legal dispute. The settlement marked a step towards reconciliation and a commitment to jointly manage their parents' legacy, though challenges within the family persisted.

February 23, 2010: Guest Speaker at SUNY Canton

Martin Luther King III was a guest speaker at SUNY Canton on February 23, 2010, at the invitation of the College Union Board.

April 6, 2010: King Re-elected as King Center President

On April 6, 2010, Martin Luther King III was re-elected as president and CEO of The King Center, with public support from his siblings, Dexter and Bernice. This signaled a united front and a renewed commitment to their parents' legacy. Under King's leadership, the Center initiated innovative projects, including digitizing archives and planning renovations.

August 28, 2010: King Participates in 'Reclaim the Dream' March

On August 28, 2010, the 47th anniversary of the March on Washington, Martin Luther King III joined Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders in a 'Reclaim the Dream' march. They gathered at Dunbar High School and the future site of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, advocating for social justice and economic equality.

September 19, 2010: Ramakrishna Bajaj Memorial Global Award

On September 19, 2010, King was honored with the Ramakrishna Bajaj Memorial Global Award in Mumbai, India. This award recognized his exceptional contributions to the advancement of human rights.

January 2011: Interest in New York Mets Ownership and Co-founding Bounce TV

In January 2011, news broke about King's potential involvement as a "strategic partner" with the New York Mets, though he later clarified his role. He also co-founded Bounce TV, a digital network focused on Black audiences, and serves on the Board of Advisors for Let America Vote, an organization dedicated to combating voter suppression.

April 4, 2011: King Leads Demonstrations for Workers' Rights

On April 4, 2011, the 43rd anniversary of his father's assassination, Martin Luther King III led nationwide demonstrations in support of public workers' collective bargaining rights. In Atlanta, he addressed a crowd at the state capitol, emphasizing the importance of protecting workers' rights and fair labor practices.

November 17, 2011: King Advocates for Immigration Reform

On November 17, 2011, Martin Luther King III co-authored an article with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka advocating for immigration reform. They called for an end to oppressive immigration laws, highlighting the need for justice and humane treatment of immigrants.

August 2013: National Campaign for Poverty, Jobs, and Education

In August 2013, Martin Luther King III joined Mayor Michael Nutter in Philadelphia to announce the city's participation in a national campaign addressing poverty, jobs, and education. He also traveled to Washington with other civil rights leaders to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington.

November 21, 2013: Speech at DePauw University

On November 21, 2013, Martin Luther King III spoke at DePauw University, sharing his memories of John F. Kennedy's assassination.

May 9, 2014: Appearance on MSNBC's The Cycle

On May 9, 2014, King appeared on MSNBC's "The Cycle," where he discussed the Democratic Party's relationship with African Americans and the importance of dialogue with the Tea Party Movement.

August 2014: Response to the Shooting of Michael Brown

Throughout August 2014, King addressed the shooting of Michael Brown, traveled to Ferguson, Missouri, attended a rally with Brown's parents, and expressed his belief that his father would be "greatly disappointed" with the violence that followed the grand jury verdict. He also attended Brown's funeral on August 25th.

September 29, 2015: Humanitarian Award at Montreal Black Film Festival

On September 29, 2015, King received the Humanitarian Award from the Montreal Black Film Festival.

January 2017: Meeting with President Donald Trump

In January 2017, King sparked controversy by agreeing to meet with President Donald Trump.

August 28, 2017: Ministers March for Justice

On August 28, 2017, King participated in the Ministers March for Justice in Washington D.C., leading over 3,000 ministers in protest against the policies of President Donald Trump.

March 24, 2018: Yolanda Renee King at March for Our Lives

At nine years old, Yolanda Renee King, granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, delivered a powerful speech at the March for Our Lives demonstration in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2018.

2019: Advocacy for Rodney Reed

In 2019, Martin Luther King III urged the state of Texas to grant a reprieve to death row inmate Rodney Reed.

February 3, 2020: Response to Kenneth Starr's Quotation

On February 3, 2020, Martin Luther King III issued a public statement responding to Kenneth Starr's quotation of Martin Luther King Jr. during President Trump's impeachment trial.

2020: Advocacy for Nathaniel Woods

Martin Luther King III called on the state of Alabama to halt the execution of Nathaniel Woods in 2020.

January 18, 2021: Endorsement of Andrew Yang for NYC Mayor

On January 18, 2021, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, King released a video endorsing Andrew Yang for New York City mayor, praising Yang's guaranteed minimum income plan and joining the campaign as a co-chair.

January 15, 2024: NFL's Realizing the Dream Initiative

On January 15, 2024, Martin Luther King Jr.'s 95th birthday, the NFL announced its five-year commitment to "Realizing the Dream." This partnership between the Martin Luther King III Foundation and Legacy+ aims to inspire 100 million hours of community service by 2029, marking King's 100th birthday.

2024: Professor at University of Virginia

As of 2024, Martin Luther King III holds the position of Professor of practice at the University of Virginia.

2029: Goal for Realizing the Dream Initiative

The NFL's "Realizing the Dream" initiative aims to inspire 100 million hours of community service by 2029, marking what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 100th birthday.