The King Center

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, commonly known as The King Center, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation located in Atlanta, United States. Established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, it serves to preserve the legacy and vision of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., promoting nonviolent social change.

The King Center functions both as a memorial and an active educational institution. It is home to the final resting place of Dr. King and Mrs. King, as well as the "Coretta Scott King Peace and Meditation Garden," where visitors can engage with a sculpture symbolising the power of individual voices. The "Eternal Flame," located beside the garden, represents the ongoing pursuit of Dr. King’s dream of the “Beloved Community.”

A significant attraction at The King Center is "Freedom Hall," a free exhibit space that honours the contributions of Dr. King, Rosa Parks, and Mahatma Gandhi. Annually, nearly a million people visit the site to learn about Dr. King’s life, be inspired, and pay their respects.

The King Center is currently undergoing a transformation to enhance its role as an educational and social change institution. This includes state-of-the-art renovations to its Atlanta campus, the preservation and digitisation of its archives, and the development of new programmes that further Dr. King’s work on a global scale. The centre's efforts are aimed at ensuring that Dr. King’s legacy remains relevant, inspiring new generations to continue his work towards social justice.

Through research, education, training, advocacy, and activism, The King Center remains committed to realising the vision of a just, humane, and peaceful world, in line with Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology.

The King Center, formally known as The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, was established in 1968 by Coretta Scott King in Atlanta, Georgia. The organisation was founded after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, to preserve and promote his legacy of nonviolent social change. Initially, the centre operated from the basement of the King family’s home, serving as a modest yet powerful symbol of the enduring influence of Dr. King’s work.

In 1977, the centre made a significant step in its mission by establishing a memorial tomb for Dr. King. His remains were moved from South View Cemetery to a new resting place between the centre and the nearby Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King had served as co-pastor. This relocation was part of a broader effort to develop the King Center as a major site of remembrance and reflection on the life and contributions of Dr. King.

The centre's headquarters moved in 1981 to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park on Auburn Avenue. This historic area includes Dr. King’s childhood home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, further cementing the King Center’s role as a key destination for those wishing to explore the civil rights leader's life and legacy. Coretta Scott King’s vision for the centre was that it should not be a "dead monument," but a "living memorial" filled with the vitality and commitment that characterised her husband’s work. This vision guided the centre's activities through educational and community programmes that promoted the principles of nonviolence.

One of the centre’s most significant initiatives in recent years has been the digitisation of Dr. King’s extensive archives. With support from JPMorgan Chase & Co’s Technology for Social Good, the King Center began in 2011 the process of preserving and making publicly accessible Dr. King’s speeches, letters, and papers. This effort, launched in partnership with C&G Partners and Palantir.net, resulted in the creation of a digital archive that was made available to the public in January 2012, on what would have been Dr. King’s 83rd birthday. The archive now contains over one million documents, offering scholars, educators, and the general public unprecedented access to Dr. King’s writings and thoughts.

Throughout its history, the King Center has been more than just a repository of Dr. King’s work; it has been an active participant in the ongoing struggle for social justice. The centre’s programmes continue to promote the philosophy of Nonviolence365, aiming to empower individuals and communities to create a just and peaceful world. The King Center’s commitment to this mission is reflected in its award of the Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize, which has honoured figures such as Cesar Chavez, Rosa Parks, and Mikhail Gorbachev for their contributions to peace and social justice.

As the centre moves forward, it is undergoing a significant transformation to remain relevant in the 21st century. Plans are underway for a state-of-the-art renovation of the King Center’s Atlanta campus, alongside the development of new programmes and partnerships that will further Dr. King’s work on a global scale. The centre’s digital strategy and conference series are also designed to engage modern audiences, ensuring that Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire and guide future generations.

The King Center defines nonviolence as a love-centered approach to thinking, speaking, acting, and engaging that fosters personal, cultural, and societal transformation. This philosophy challenges the Triple Evils—poverty, racism, and militarism—which are interconnected forms of violence that perpetuate societal injustice. Addressing these evils requires adopting a nonviolent mindset as outlined in the “Six Principles of Nonviolence” and employing the “Six Steps for Nonviolent Social Change,” which together provide a framework for creating positive social impact and achieving justice.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s fundamental philosophy of nonviolence is rooted in his belief that nonviolence is a courageous, active resistance to evil and a method to win friendship and understanding. It focuses on defeating injustice rather than individuals, advocates for the transformative power of unearned suffering, and chooses love over hate. Dr. King’s approach believes that the universe ultimately supports justice, emphasising that justice is an inherent part of the nonviolent struggle.

The concept of the Beloved Community, popularised by Dr. King, envisions a global society where justice, equality, and love prevail. This community is not a utopian ideal but a realistic goal attainable through nonviolence and reconciliation. The elimination of poverty and discrimination characterises Dr. King’s vision, the resolution of conflicts through peaceful means, and the triumph of love and trust over fear and hatred. The King Center continues to champion this vision, encouraging individuals and communities to embody Dr. King’s principles in their pursuit of social justice and reconciliation.

Today, under the leadership of Dr. King’s youngest child, Bernice King, who became CEO in 2012, the King Center remains dedicated to realising the vision of a "Beloved Community" where injustice ceases, and love prevails. The centre continues to serve as both a local and global resource, educating the world on the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and inspiring new generations to carry forward his unfinished work.

The key initiatives, programmes, and resources offered by The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

Education and Training

Nonviolence365® Education & Training: For over five decades, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change has championed Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence. The Nonviolence365® Education & Training programme offers high-impact training sessions and immersive experiences that empower individuals and organisations to achieve transformational outcomes. These programmes aim to drive cultural shifts towards nonviolence as a way of life, ensuring positive and equitable social change.

The King Center Institute: The King Center Institute provides an online nonviolence training platform that builds on the Centre’s long history as a leader in this field. The platform offers a self-paced, interactive learning experience designed to inspire personal, cultural, and societal transformation through Kingian nonviolence.

For Students and Educators

Beloved Community Leadership Academy: The Beloved Community Leadership Academy is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders, focusing on nonviolence, technology, innovation, business, and leadership. The program targets youths aged 13-18, offering virtual learning experiences over a 15-month period, designed to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Students with King: Students with King is an engagement platform that introduces elementary, middle, and high school students to Kingian nonviolence. The programme provides resources to support literacy development, character-building, and social-emotional learning, reaching over a million students worldwide.

Classroom Resources: The King Center offers a variety of educational resources, including downloadable lesson plans, a video library, and virtual tours of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. These tools support educators in bringing Dr. King’s legacy into the classroom.

Research and Scholarship

King Library and Archives: The King Library and Archives in Atlanta houses the largest collection of primary source materials on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement. The archives include Dr. King’s papers, records of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and oral history interviews, serving as a vital resource for researchers and scholars.

Global Network

Beloved Community Network: The Beloved Community Network envisions a world where injustice ceases and love prevails. This global network seeks to create the Beloved Community in all sectors of life, encouraging individuals and organisations to work together towards this vision.

Programs and Events

Beloved Community Talks: Beloved Community Talks provide a platform for open, honest, and civil conversations aimed at improving race relations and bridging community divides. These discussions bring together diverse groups to explore practical solutions for local and national issues, guided by the principles of Nonviolence365®.

Beloved Community International Expo: The Beloved Community International Expo celebrates Dr. King’s vision of a global community united by nonviolence. Held on The King Center’s historic campus, the Expo showcases global cultures through performances, creative works, food, music, and dance, offering a unique experience of international unity and cultural exchange.