BUILDING A COALITION TO ACCELERATE CHANGE AND UNIFY COMMUNITIES FROM COAST-TO-COAST.
Building a movement takes extraordinary partnerships. The Martin Luther King III Foundation and Legacy+ are teaming up with NGOs across America to reach Realize the Dream’s ambitious goal of 100 million hours of service by 2029, the 100th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. We are fortunate to have the support of strategic educational partners across the U.S. and a network of more than 130K teachers in all 50 states.
Martin Luther King III Foundation is an organization dedicated to building up to a new culture of compassion, trust, dignity, acceptance and love through ideas, words and insights. Leading the way in representing the three values: justice, equity and peace.
MARTIN LUTHER KING III
With the astounding display of social injustice, violence and confusion in recent years, perhaps at no other time in contemporary history has our world needed the clear-thinking and solutions-oriented voice of civil rights advocate and global humanitarian Martin Luther King III. From speaking to thousands at the August 2020 March On Washington to his dozens of arrests during peaceful protests, Martin is shepherding the healing of our nation and the world, connecting the important lessons of the past with the critical needs of our future and motivating a new generation of authentic leaders. As the oldest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III is a thought leader on the world stage, a peacemaker, and a negotiator on some of today's most critical national and international platforms for social change. Amplifying his father's work, Martin has devoted his life to promoting global human rights and eradicating racism, violence, and poverty, earning a reputation as a respected international statesman and one of the world's most passionate advocates for the poor and oppressed. With his logical approach to problem-solving, he asks: "If we can live a day in peace, why can't we live a week in peace? If we can live a week in peace, why can't we live a month? If we can live a month, why not a year? And if we can achieve a year, why not a lifetime?"
ARNDREA WATERS KING
Arndrea Waters King has dedicated herself to public service as a passionate leader in the global fight against inequity, injustice, hate crimes and all forms of pain. Throughout her life, Arndrea has consistently worked for marginalized groups and individuals by helping them find — and collectively use — their voices for change. Soon after graduating from Emory University in Atlanta, Arndrea joined the Center for Democratic Renewal, an organization founded and headed by Dr. C.T. Vivian, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During her tenure, Arndrea organized the first National Conference on Hate Crimes and Hate Violence with over 100 national partners, mobilized the Georgia Hate Crimes Act and prepared major reports and publications, including the landmark “When Hate Comes to Town: Faith Based Edition.” Arndrea also helped organize marches and rallies that led to building a major multiracial collaboration known as the Southern Coalition Against Racism and Bigotry. Currently, as president of the Drum Major Institute (DMI), Arndrea plays a critical role in creating strategic partnerships and managing the daily operations of this active social justice organization. A nonprofit founded over 60 years ago, the Drum Major Institute has provided Andrea with a platform to contribute to the King legacy and encourage individuals to embrace their unique contribution to peace, justice, and equity for all. As the leader of DMI, Arndrea has spearheaded the effort to organize tens of thousands of activists and more than 100 partner organizations to March on Washington in support of federal voting rights legislation.
YOLANDA RENEE KING
Born on May 25, 2008, in Atlanta to Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King. Yolanda Renee King is the sole grandchild of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She was named in honor of her aunt, Yolanda Denise King, who died a little more than a year before she was born. As a young activist, Yolanda has earned the respect and admiration of her generation for her outspoken support of the ongoing work to fulfill the great dream her grandfather shared with America. She has passionately addressed mass gatherings in protests against gun violence, homelessness and inhumane treatment of refugees seeking asylum on the U.S. southern border. When she met President Obama in the Oval Office, Yolanda Renee asked him, “Mr. President, what are you going to do about all of these guns?” In June 2022, following the tragic mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Yolanda published a column in The Washington Post calling on her generation to stand up against gun violence. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News, and other national media outlets to help carry on the mission her grandfather gave his life for so many years ago. Although both of her parents are energetic social reform activists, they have encouraged her to follow her heart in choosing a career while being a caring and compassionate person. Yolanda Renee has chosen to become a life-long human rights activist in her own right while leaving open options for her future.
Legacy+ is a foundry of strategists, designers, creators, storytellers and innovators that brings purpose to life for companies, foundations and individuals by building real movements and legacy projects with life-changing impacts for people and communities around the world. They have partnered with globally renowned thought leaders, activists, CEOs, entertainers, athletes, celebrities and more to inspire millions of youths, educators, companies, and communities to give back through service. Through its efforts, Legacy+ shifted volunteerism in youth from least likely to most likely and was the first to develop service-learning programming integrated into classroom curriculum.