King Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Encyclopedia
The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization founded in 1969 by Coretta Scott King
. Scott King started the organization in the basement of the couple's home in the year following the 1968 assassination of her husband, Martin Luther King, Jr.
In 1981, the center's headquarters were moved into the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site, a multimillion dollar facility on Auburn Avenue
which includes King's birth home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached from 1960 until his death.
In 1977, a memorial tomb was dedicated, and the remains of Martin Luther King Jr. were moved from South View Cemetery to the plaza that is nestled between the center and the church. Martin Luther King Jr.'s gravesite and a reflecting pool are also located next to Freedom Hall. Mrs. King was interred with her husband on February 7, 2006.
. Located in Atlanta, Georgia
, the organization carries out initiatives on both the domestic and international level. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change is dedicated to research, education and training in the principles, philosophy and methods of Kingian nonviolence.
To develop a family of leaders who personify the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in their own lives and apply the philosophy of nonviolence to the problems and issues of the community, the nation and the world.
To have The King Center’s staff, officers, directors, and advisors reflect in their lives, the philosophy and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and become the “Beloved Community” through their work together.
To educate and train top institutional leaders in the philosophy and methods of Kingian Nonviolence and its application to their own lives and to their institutionalized structures, philosophies and policies.
To be an agent of reconciliation in bringing together individuals, and leaders or groups, institutions and nations in the nonviolent resolution of conflict.
To have the spirit and principles of nonviolence manifesting themselves throughout the American culture.
To establish a generation of young people who are technically excellent and morally and spiritually mature, who personify in their lives and are capable of teaching the philosophy of “Kingian” Nonviolence.
To establish in the United States and throughout the world, a social order based on peace and justice, which will eliminate violence, racism, poverty and war, and to establish what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the “Beloved Community.”
To champion freedom, justice
, and equality
by working to eliminate poverty
, build community
and foster peace
through nonviolence
.”
Coretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King was an American author, activist, and civil rights leader. The widow of Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King helped lead the African-American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.Mrs...
. Scott King started the organization in the basement of the couple's home in the year following the 1968 assassination of her husband, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
In 1981, the center's headquarters were moved into the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site, a multimillion dollar facility on Auburn Avenue
Sweet Auburn
The Sweet Auburn Historic District is a historic African-American neighborhood along Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. The name Sweet Auburn was coined by John Wesley Dobbs, referring to the "richest Negro street in the world". The Sweet Auburn district includes:*the Martin Luther King, Jr...
which includes King's birth home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached from 1960 until his death.
In 1977, a memorial tomb was dedicated, and the remains of Martin Luther King Jr. were moved from South View Cemetery to the plaza that is nestled between the center and the church. Martin Luther King Jr.'s gravesite and a reflecting pool are also located next to Freedom Hall. Mrs. King was interred with her husband on February 7, 2006.
Current activities
As of 2010, current President and CEO is Martin Luther King IIIMartin Luther King III
Martin Luther King III is an American human rights advocate and community activist. He is the eldest son and oldest living child of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. His siblings are Dexter Scott King, Rev. Bernice Albertine King, and the late Yolanda Denise...
. Located in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, the organization carries out initiatives on both the domestic and international level. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change is dedicated to research, education and training in the principles, philosophy and methods of Kingian nonviolence.
Mission
It is the official living memorial dedicated to fulfill the following purpose:To develop a family of leaders who personify the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in their own lives and apply the philosophy of nonviolence to the problems and issues of the community, the nation and the world.
To have The King Center’s staff, officers, directors, and advisors reflect in their lives, the philosophy and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and become the “Beloved Community” through their work together.
To educate and train top institutional leaders in the philosophy and methods of Kingian Nonviolence and its application to their own lives and to their institutionalized structures, philosophies and policies.
To be an agent of reconciliation in bringing together individuals, and leaders or groups, institutions and nations in the nonviolent resolution of conflict.
To have the spirit and principles of nonviolence manifesting themselves throughout the American culture.
To establish a generation of young people who are technically excellent and morally and spiritually mature, who personify in their lives and are capable of teaching the philosophy of “Kingian” Nonviolence.
To establish in the United States and throughout the world, a social order based on peace and justice, which will eliminate violence, racism, poverty and war, and to establish what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the “Beloved Community.”
To champion freedom, justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
, and equality
Social equality
Social equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. At the very least, social equality includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and the...
by working to eliminate poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, build community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
and foster peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
through nonviolence
Nonviolence
Nonviolence has two meanings. It can refer, first, to a general philosophy of abstention from violence because of moral or religious principle It can refer to the behaviour of people using nonviolent action Nonviolence has two (closely related) meanings. (1) It can refer, first, to a general...
.”