Martin Luther King III recently delivered an inspirational and moving speech to an overflowing audience of 800 at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Saint Louis University Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on January 17, 2019.
As the oldest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III is carrying the torch lit by both of his parents into the 21st century. His dedication to creating and implementing strategic nonviolent action to rid the world of social, political and economic injustice has propelled him to the forefront as one of the nation’s most ardent advocates for the poor, the oppressed and the disillusioned.
In addition to King receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, this year’s historic number of MLK Tribute honorees also included: 183 African American elected officials from St. Louis City and St. Louis County who received political leadership awards: Dr. Mona Hicks, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students and Saint Louis University; Kayla Reed, community activist and co-director of Action St. Louis; and Frances Mae Shelby, a political and civic activist who has never missed an election in 75 years.
“We are proud to recognize the record number of 183 black elected officials at this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute because they truly represent the fruit of the labors of the Civil Rights Movement,” said Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
