Dexter King facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dexter King
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King in 1999
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| Born |
Dexter Scott King
January 30, 1961 |
| Died | January 22, 2024 (aged 62) South Fulton, GA
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| Education | Morehouse College |
| Occupation | Civil rights activist, advocate |
| Known for | Son of Martin Luther King Jr. Chairman, The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change |
| Spouse(s) |
Leah Weber
(m. 2013) |
| Parent(s) | Martin Luther King Jr. (father) Coretta Scott King (mother) |
| Relatives | Yolanda Denise King (sister) Martin Luther King Sr. (paternal grandfather) Martin Luther King III (brother) Bernice Albertine King (sister) Alveda King (paternal first cousin) Edythe Scott Bagley (maternal aunt) |
Dexter Scott King (born January 30, 1961 – died January 21, 2024) was an American activist. He worked for civil rights and animal rights. Dexter was the second son of famous civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. He was also the brother of Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, and Yolanda King. His grandfather was Martin Luther King Sr..
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Early Life of Dexter King
Dexter King was born on January 30, 1961, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. This was where his father, Martin Luther King Jr., used to be a pastor.
Dexter was only seven years old when his father was assassinated. Harry Belafonte, a famous singer and activist, helped ensure Dexter and his siblings could go to school. He set up a special fund for them. In 1972, Dexter went to the Democratic National Convention. This event made him interested in politics.
Dexter King's Activities
Dexter King spent his time between Atlanta, Georgia and Malibu, California. In Atlanta, he was the chairman of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. This center works to continue his father's work for peace and equality.
In 1989, Dexter's mother, Coretta Scott King, chose him to lead the King Center. He wanted to turn the center into a place for "nonviolent training." He served as president, then stepped down, and later returned to the role in 1994.
Dexter was also a strong supporter of animal rights. Since the late 1980s, he was a dedicated vegan, meaning he did not eat meat or animal products. On August 28, 2013, he attended the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. This was the famous event where his father gave the "I Have a Dream" speech.
Dexter King in Film
Dexter Scott King played his father, Martin Luther King Jr., in a TV movie called The Rosa Parks Story in 2002. He also lent his voice to his father's character in the 1999 animated film, Our Friend, Martin.
Dexter King and the Loyd Jowers Trial
In 1997, Dexter King met with James Earl Ray. Ray was the man who was in prison for his father's murder in 1968. Dexter asked Ray directly if he killed his father. Ray said he did not.
Dexter and his family believed Ray was innocent. They thought there was a larger conspiracy behind the assassination. Dexter stated that he did not believe Ray was involved. He pointed to evidence from the crime scene, like the murder weapon. He felt it didn't make sense for Ray to leave it nearby.
Dexter believed that a police officer was the actual shooter. He also thought that high-ranking officials might have been involved. He even believed that President Lyndon B. Johnson might have known about it. Dexter convinced Andrew Young, another civil rights leader, to change his mind about the assassination. Young had previously said it didn't matter who killed Dr. King, but what killed him.
Dexter King's Family Life
Dexter King's mother, Coretta Scott King, passed away on January 30, 2006. This was also Dexter's 45th birthday. His older sister, Yolanda, died on May 15, 2007. Dexter tried to save her, but he was not successful. She was 51 years old.
Dexter spoke to Yolanda just an hour before she died. He said she gave him "permission" to be himself. In July 2013, Dexter married his fiancée, Leah Weber. They had a private ceremony in California.
Films and TV Shows
Acting Roles
- King (1978)
- King Holiday Music Video by The King Dream Chorus (1986)
Television Appearances
- 1-800-Missing, Lost Sister episode (2004)
- The Rosa Parks Story (2002)
- Our Friend, Martin (1999)
Books by Dexter King
- Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir (2003)
