Dexter Scott King was the third of the four children of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
He had three siblings; Martin Luther King III, Bernice King and Yolanda King, who passed away in 2007.
Dexter’s siblings have also been active in civil rights and social justice causes.
Luther King III is a human rights advocate and community activist, while Bernice is a minister and CEO of the King Center, which was founded by their mother.
Yolanda was an actress, activist and motivational speaker who was known for her work in promoting nonviolence and racial harmony.
The King siblings have continued their parents’ legacy of fighting for equality and justice for all people and their contributions have been widely recognized and celebrated
Yolanda King
Yolanda was an African-American activist, actress, and the first-born child of civil rights leaders Luther King Jr. and Coretta.
She was born on November 17, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, and was raised in a family that was deeply committed to social justice and equality.
Yolanda attended drama school and was active in sports and student council.
She graduated from Smith College with a BA in theater and African-American studies and later earned an MFA from New York University.
Yolanda was an actress, author, and human rights activist who followed in her father’s footsteps by advocating for social justice and equality.
She was a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and served as the director of the King Center’s Cultural Affairs Program.
Yolanda also appeared in several films and television shows, including Ghostwriter and The Simpsons.
She was known for her passionate speeches and her ability to use the arts to tell the story of the civil rights movement.
Yolanda passed away on May 15, 2007, at the age of 51, due to complications from a heart condition.
Her legacy continues to inspire future generations, and her granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King, is following in her footsteps as an activist and advocate for social justice and equality.
Martin Luther King III
Luther King III is the oldest son of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
He was born on October 23, 1957, in Montgomery, Alabama.
Luther King III is an American human rights activist, philanthropist, and advocate who has dedicated his life to continuing his father’s legacy of nonviolent social change.
He has served as the president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which was founded by his father in 1957 to promote civil rights and nonviolent social change.
Luther King III has also been involved in various civil rights and social justice organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Drum Major Institute.
He has been a vocal advocate for voting rights, economic justice, and nonviolent social change.
Luther King III has also been involved in philanthropic work, including the founding of the Realizing the Dream Foundation, which provides scholarships to students who are committed to social justice and nonviolent social change.
He has received numerous awards for his leadership and advocacy, including the National Association of Black Journalists’ Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Urban League’s Frederick Douglass Medal.
Luther King III’s work continues to inspire and impact people around the world, and his commitment to social justice and nonviolent social change is a testament to his father’s legacy.
Bernice King
Bernice is the youngest daughter of Luther King Jr. and Coretta.
She was born on March 28, 1963, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Bernice is a global thought leader, strategist, solutionist, orator, peace advocate and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center For Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center), which was founded by her mother as the official living memorial to the life, work and legacy of her father.
In this position, she continues to advance her parents’ legacy of nonviolent social change through policy, advocacy, research, education and training through the Kingian philosophy of nonviolence.
Bernice is an innovative, inspirational and transformational leader who is dedicated to ensuring that her parents’ legacy and teachings, The King Center, as well as the work of creating the Beloved Community, with Nonviolence365® as the pathway, are introduced to new generations of influencers.
She is also a board member of the National Black Bank Foundation and Faith and Prejudice.
Bernice is a graduate of Spelman College with a BA in Psychology and a Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Law degrees from Emory University.
She has also received honorary doctorates from several universities.
Bernice has been recognized with numerous awards for her leadership and advocacy, including the Trumpet Award, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Award, and the Women of Excellence Award from the Atlanta Tribune.
She is a powerful voice for social justice and equality, and her work continues to inspire and impact people around the world.
FAQ
Who was Yolanda King?
Yolanda was an actor who melded her father’s message of racial equality and nonviolence with her own calling as an actor.
What were Yolanda King’s significant contributions?
Yolanda wrote and produced plays, appeared in movies, and founded a dramatic group dedicated to personal empowerment.
She was also on the board of the King Center.
How did Yolanda King pass away?
Yolanda passed away in 2007 at the age of 51.
The cause of her death had not been determined but seemed related to cardiopulmonary problems
Who is Bernice King?
Bernice is the youngest child of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She is a minister and the CEO of the King Center.
What is Bernice King known for?
Bernice is known for her work as a minister and her role as the CEO of the King Center, which was founded by her mother in the late 1960s.
Who is Martin Luther King III?
Luther King III is the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
He is a human rights advocate and community activist.
What are Martin Luther King III’s notable achievements?
Luther King III is known for his work as a human rights advocate and community activist, carrying on his father’s legacy of fighting for civil rights and social justice.
How have Martin Luther King Jr.’s children dealt with their father’s death and legacy?
For the three surviving children, the past five decades have meant coming to terms with their father’s death and legacy.
What is the significance of the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin?
The mothers of these influential figures played a crucial role in shaping their lives and, by extension, the course of history.
Their stories are being increasingly recognized and celebrated.
What is the latest news about Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr.?
Dexter, the youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr., passed away in 2024.