Dr. Bernice King talks about MLK legacy | 11Alive Uninterrupted
Emma Valentine
Published Apr 12, 2026
Dr. King’s impact has been heavily influenced by the women in his life, from his wife and civil rights activist Coretta Scott King, to his mother Alberta King, and the many women of the movement.
Coretta Scott King helped to establish The King Center, formally known as The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc.
She immediately got to work in preserving his legacy after Dr. King passed away.
“When he was assassinated, he was one of the most hated men in America. And now today, he’s one of the most loved persons in the world. Most people say, that’s because he’s dead and they don’t have to deal with him. I agree with that, but I also say that the only reason that Dr. King is the icon that he is today is Coretta Scott King," she said about her mom. "She was very strategic in creating an institutionalization of the legacy."
