Date: March 28, 1963 – Present
Who Is Bernice King?
Bernice King is a reverend in the ministry. Most notably, she is the daughter of the prominent Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She is the youngest of four children. Her identity has been widely known because of an iconic photo.
The picture showed a heartfelt story of Bernice King curling on the lap of her mother. It was taken during the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. This was held after his assassination in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Those were some of the gloomiest days in their family.
5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Bernice King
- Bernice King finished a B.A. in Psychology as well as Master of Divinity and a doctorate in Law in 1990 at Emory University
- She was ordained as a minister in 1990 at Ebenezer
- She holds the chief executive officer position in the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change located in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Among the four children, Bernice King is the only child who followed their father’s footsteps in the field of ministry
- She wrote books like Hard Questions, and her eloquence in oratorical speeches is undeniable.
Inspirational Quotes from Bernice King
“If each of us works toward making a sincere effort when we wake up each morning with a renewed commitment and dedication to embracing nonviolence as a lifestyle, this world will become a better place, bringing us ever closer to the Beloved Community of which my father so often spoke.”
“Seek out your brothers and sisters of other cultures and join together in building alliances to put an end to all forms of racial discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice. There are people of good will of all races, religions, and nations who will join you in common quest for the betterment of society.”
“Nonviolence as a lifestyle and perpetual strategy will allow us to be on the offense instead of continually on the defense. We will be able to move the ball down the field with team decisions and playmaking versus constantly thinking about how the opposing forces are moving the ball.”
“With The King Center as her base, my mother pressed on to fulfill a role that changed lives and legislation. She was a woman who refused to surrender the reigns of what she knew to be her assignment, even when male civil rights and business leaders tried to convince her that she should leave the work of building her husband’s legacy to them.”
Bernice King Biography
Bernice’s Childhood
Bernice King was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 28, 1963. She has three siblings, namely: Yolanda Denise, Martin Luther III, and Dexter Scott.
Her childhood was not that complete because of her father’s early passing, Martin Luther King Jr. Therefore, at the early age of 5, she already lost one of the most influential persons in her life.
She stated that, with the short amount of time with her father, there were two significant memories she can recall. First is her bond with him at their house, while the other is during her father’s funeral.
Bernice’s Education
During her stay at Atlanta, Georgia, Bernice went to the Galloway school. She then attended and graduated high school in 1981 at Douglass High.
Her college journey started at Grinnell College, situated in Iowa. However, soon after, she switched to Spelman College and finished her college years with a B.A. in Psychology in 1985.
Her educational career did not end there as she acquired a degree in Master of Divinity. In addition to this, she also finished a Doctorate in Law at Emory University.
Writing and Oratorical Talents
Like her father, Bernice is truly talented when it comes to delivering speeches and writing books. Her talent is evident in her works, such as “Hard Questions and Heart Answers: Sermons and Speeches,” published in 1996.
Additionally, her eloquence and communication skills have been compared with her father. They are both admired for their inspiring and truthful talks.
She even gave a fantastic speech which stunned the audience. One was held in 1980, where she stepped in for her mother, and she spoke about apartheid. She also delivered a speech in 1993 during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day held at the Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Ministry Journey
At 16, she was confused about whether to continue her service to God. This happened when she was taken aback and felt highly emotional when a documentary focusing on the civil rights movement mentioned her father’s funeral.
However, this confusion was cleared when she realized that God was calling her to serve in the ministry.
One of her most significant moments was when she was ordained in 1990 at Ebenezer. However, long before that, she was already preaching.
In March 1988, she got to deliver her first-ever sermon that was also held in Ebenezer Baptist Church. After her ordination, she continued preaching in the Greater Rising Star Baptist Church.
