CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center)
Dr. Bernice A. King will speak during the General Scientific Session on Tuesday, October 19. Join her for a meet and greet in the CNS Xperience Lounge immediately following her lecture.
Dr. Bernice A. King is a global thought leader, orator, and peace advocate. She is also CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center), which was founded by her mother, Coretta Scott King, in 1968. From this position, she continues her efforts to advance her parents' legacy of Kingian Nonviolence, which Dr. King re-branded Nonviolence365.
Through her work at The King Center, Dr. King educates youth and adults about the nonviolent principles modeled by her parents. She implemented the Camp N.O.W. Leadership Academy and launched Students with King, which enables students to interact with King family members, as well as those who knew and/or worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.
After the tragic death of Michael Brown at the hands of law enforcement, Dr. King led The King Center team in engaging educators, law enforcement, civic leaders, activists, gang members, and business leaders in the Ferguson community in dialogue and Nonviolence365 training. Further, in an effort to build relationships between community and law enforcement and to decrease incidents of police brutality, The King Center facilitates Nonviolence365 for Law Enforcement.
Dr. King also initiated the Beloved Community Talks to begin having courageous conversations about the difficult racial issues impacting our communities, nation, and world. The first was entitled “The Race Factor: The Lies, The Myths and The Truths” and was held as part of its 2015 King Holiday Observance.
Prior to taking on her role at the Center, Dr. King was already nationally and internationally known as one of the most powerful, motivating, and life-changing orators and speakers on the circuit today. She began her oratorical journey when she spoke in her mother's stead at the United Nations at age 17. Over the years, she has spoken on the steps of The Lincoln Memorial, The White House, major corporations and universities, and in nations throughout the world, including South Africa, Germany, and New Zealand.
Dr. King is a graduate of Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and of Emory University, with a Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Law. She is currently a member of the State Bar of Georgia and a trained mediator. She is a member of the International Women's Forum, National Council of Negro Women, and Leadership Atlanta's Class of 2020.
Dr. King has been featured on numerous television shows, in magazines, as a television commentator, and is the recipient of a host of awards and accolades. A noted author, she has to her credit ”Hard Questions, Heart Answers,” a compelling and inspiring book.
Dr. King is an innovative, energetic, and committed leader dedicated to taking her parents' legacy and teachings, The King Center, and the work of creating a more peaceful, just, humane world with Nonviolence365 into a new era.