Dr. Bernice A. King Speaker Biography
Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Lawyer, Minister and Author
Dr. Bernice A. King is a globally recognized thought leader and powerful orator. Furthermore, she is a dedicated peace advocate and the Chief Executive Officer of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center). Her mother, Coretta Scott King, founded this pivotal organization in 1968. Appointed CEO in January 2012, Dr. King continues her steadfast efforts. She advances her parents’ enduring legacy of Kingian Nonviolence. Moreover, Dr. King has rebranded this powerful philosophy as Nonviolence365™. As a prominent diversity speaker, she carries forward a vital message of equality and justice.
Cultivating Leadership Through Camp NOW
Through her impactful work at The King Center, Dr. King actively educates both youth and adults. Her focus is on the nonviolent principles championed by her parents. In 2012, she established the Camp N.O.W. Leadership Academy. This program has engaged young people from diverse backgrounds. Participants have come from New Mexico, South Carolina, Michigan, and Alabama. Furthermore, the camp has even drawn youth from as far away as Cyprus. The profound impact of this academy, now called Camp NOW, is evident. Youth from Cyprus returned for two consecutive years. This demonstrates the program’s lasting influence and Dr. King’s effectiveness as a diversity speaker inspiring future leaders.
Commemorating Freedom: The ‘Let Freedom Ring’ Event
Dr. King spearheaded the significant ‘Let Freedom Ring and Call to Action’ event. This commemoration marked the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. It also honored her father’s iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. This global event brought together numerous influential figures. These included then President Obama, former Presidents Clinton and Carter, and members of Congress. Additionally, many other international leaders, dignitaries, and entertainers participated. This event underscored the enduring relevance of her father’s message and Dr. King’s role as a vital voice for equality and diversity speaker.
Empowering Through Nonviolence365 and Student Engagement
As part of The King Center’s comprehensive Nonviolence365 education and training initiative, Dr. King launched Students with King. This program provides students with unique opportunities. They can interact directly with King family members. Furthermore, they can engage with individuals who knew and collaborated with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. These interactive conversations, often moderated by local media personalities, offer students personal insights into the King family’s legacy. Moreover, Dr. King has embraced technology to connect with students nationwide. She utilizes platforms like Google Hangout for interactive web-talks. This allows her to engage with students in their classrooms while she remains at The King Center, effectively broadening her reach as a diversity speaker.
Addressing Injustice: Engagement in Ferguson
Following the tragic death of Michael Brown, Dr. King led The King Center team in crucial engagement within the Ferguson community. This involved facilitating dialogue and Nonviolence365 training for a diverse group. Participants included educators, law enforcement, civic leaders, activists, gang members, and business leaders. The Center’s impactful work in Ferguson included intensive four-day education and training sessions for both adults and students and faculty at Riverview Gardens High School. Participants were strongly encouraged to embrace nonviolence as a fundamental lifestyle. The vital work in Ferguson, MO continues. Moreover, The King Center continues to receive numerous requests for Nonviolence365 education and training, highlighting Dr. King’s leadership in addressing issues of diversity and justice.
Fostering Collaboration and Reconciliation
Under Dr. King’s visionary leadership, The King Center has significantly expanded its community engagement. This includes strategic partnerships with organizations like the Urban League of Atlanta. Together, they provide Nonviolence365 experiences for 100 ex-offenders. Furthermore, Dr. King spearheaded the launch of the Better Together: Racial Reconciliation initiative. This crucial program is specifically designed for pastors and church leaders. Dr. King also led a King Center team in a vital partnership with Ujamaa Place in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their collaboration provided Nonviolence365 training for 120 youth and adults in the community where Philando Castile resided. Moreover, in a dedicated effort to build stronger relationships between communities and law enforcement and to reduce incidents of police brutality, The King Center, under Dr. King’s guidance, facilitates Nonviolence365 for Law Enforcement. Participants in these vital trainings have included chiefs, sheriffs, and captains from metro Atlanta departments, as well as directors for agencies such as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Center has received official certification from the state of Georgia. This allows participants to receive training credit for attending NV365 for Law Enforcement, demonstrating Dr. King’s commitment to fostering diversity and understanding.
Initiating Courageous Conversations: Beloved Community Talks
Dr. King also initiated the impactful Beloved Community Talks. These crucial conversations aim to address the difficult racial issues that significantly impact our communities, nation, and the wider world. The inaugural talk, entitled ‘The Race Factor: The Lies, The Myths and The Truths,’ was held as part of the 2015 King Holiday Observance. The following year’s KHO Beloved Community Talk focused on ‘The Race Factor: Rights vs Responsibilities.’ In 2017, the central theme was ‘Let’s Bridge the Racial Divide Across Urban, Suburban and Rural America.’ These ongoing talks demonstrate Dr. King’s leadership in fostering dialogue and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Engagement
In addition to her efforts to expand and enhance The King Center’s Nonviolence365 Education and Training Platform, Dr. King has strategically focused on transforming the physical King Center campus through technology. She began by integrating the powerful voices of her parents into the campus experience. When visitors explore the Center, they not only see and read their profound words but also have the moving opportunity to hear their voices. From impactful quotes displayed on the walls and walkway landing to the significant restoration of the reflecting pool, the final resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the entire campus is undergoing a meaningful revival, ensuring their legacy resonates with future generations and further solidifying Dr. King’s role as a key figure in preserving and promoting a message of diversity and equality.
Recognition Through Awards and Honors
Dr. King has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and recognitions. In 2021, she was honored with the Atlanta Business Chronicle Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Furthermore, The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation bestowed upon her their highest honor in 2020, The Phoenix Award, recognizing her significant societal contributions. She has also received honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Wesley College and Clinton College. Additionally, she holds an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Spelman College and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Grinnell College, underscoring her profound impact as a leader and diversity speaker.
Renowned Keynote Speaker on Global Stages
Prior to assuming her leadership role at The King Center, Dr. King had already established herself nationally and internationally as a highly influential, motivating, and transformative orator and speaker. Her oratorical journey began at the young age of 17, when she spoke at the United Nations in her mother’s stead. Over the years, she has delivered powerful addresses from significant platforms. These include the steps of The Lincoln Memorial, The White House, major corporations, and universities. Moreover, she has spoken in nations across the globe, including South Africa, Germany, and New Zealand, solidifying her reputation as a compelling diversity speaker with a global reach.
Academic Excellence and Professional Affiliations
Dr. King’s academic foundation is strong. She graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She furthered her education at Emory University, earning a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate of Law. Additionally, she holds an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Wesley College. In a meaningful tribute to her mother, Coretta Scott King, she returned to her alma mater, Spelman College, to announce the establishment of the Be A King® Scholarship. Dr. King is currently a respected member of the State Bar of Georgia and a trained mediator. Furthermore, she is an active member of the International Women’s Forum and the National Council of Negro Women, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to diversity, justice, and equality.
Dr. Bernice A. King Speaking Topics
Beyond Juneteenth
Bernice King discusses Juneteenth as a significant moment in the life of descendants of enslaved people. She says there’s a lot of work to do to ensure that we who have descended from enslaved people are treated fairly, ethically — and, as her father said, ‘if you’ve done something against the people for hundreds of years, you have to do something for them.” The holiday serves as a reminder of all of the things American society must unlearn in order to make structural changes. It’s about learning the true history and the unlearning that needs to take place as well. To commit to eradicating racism. To commit to eradicating the structures and systems of white supremacy that are barriers to Black equality and equity, and ultimately freedom. And finally, for Bernice it represents our effort and struggle to get real reparations.
Hard Questions, Heart Answers
Throughout her life and career, Dr. Bernice King has always been asked hard questions—about her father and mother, her work, and her future. Playing off of her book, Hard Questions, Heart Answers, this talk shares with audiences Dr King’s, just like her father’s, rare gift for oratory and the wisdom and compassion to inspire others. Tackling such controversial subjects as our disaffected youth, gun control, and the death penalty, King paints a compelling picture of the spiritual decay and deep-seated racism that infects our society. King also shares her belief in the power of faith to restore our communities, morally and spiritually, and hopes this messaging rings forth in day to day life. The church, she asserts, must return to its helping and healing mission, and each of us, looking into our hearts, must put aside our differences and remember that each human life is precious.
Century of a Woman
This message is about Dr. Bernice King's mother, Coretta Scott King as a business woman.
A Prophet Without Honor
This message describes Dr. Bernice King's father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a prophet.
My Personal Journey and Continuing a Legacy
Bernice shares her incredible story, covering everything from her ministry and legal work to her current role as CEO of The King Center and her mission to continue her parents' legacy.
The King Center: Its History and Its Future
A not-for-profit organization founded by Corretta Scott King in 1968, The King Center is dedicated to research, education, and training in the principles, philosophy, and methods of Kingian nonviolence. In this speech, Bernice explains how she used her role as CEO to introduce a variety of programs and initiatives to the Center, as well as how she plans to continue ushering the organization into a new era.
Dr. Bernice A. King Books
