The National Civil Rights Museum mourns with the nation on the passing of Dexter Scott King.

 Dexter King, the youngest son of slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered for his commitment to preserving his father’s legacy.  He was the strategist and visionary who led the King Estate and chaired The King Center in Atlanta. He worked together with his siblings to move forward the work of their mother, Coretta Scott King, in professing peace and nonviolent civil disobedience as hallmarks of leadership and life.

 In 1997, Dexter King visited imprisoned James Earl Ray, who was convicted of Dr. King’s assassination, and urged the reopening of the investigation of his father’s assassination. With the support of the family, King’s efforts led to a court ruling that Ray must not have acted alone.

As a thought leader in establishing representation rights of his father as a heralded civil rights icon, Dexter King was the brilliant mind in championing intellectual property that set a legal precedence. His work is a cornerstone for how we remember Dr. King and the many manifestations of his work in the civil rights movement.

We are grateful for the innovative leadership of Dexter King and the legacy he paved for others as he boldly carried forth the baton in the race toward greater peace and justice.