Dexter King

Dexter King

Dexter Scott King (January 30, 1961 – January 22, 2024) was an American civil rights activist, animal rights activist, and author. He was the second son of the famous civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Dexter grew up learning about his father's work to help all people be treated fairly.

Along with his siblings, Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, and Yolanda King, Dexter worked to continue his parents' efforts for social change. He also cared for animals and spoke up for their rights. In addition to his activism, Dexter wrote a book called Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir. In it, he shared his own stories about growing up in a family that helped change the world.

As the grandson of Alberta Williams King and Martin Luther King Sr., Dexter was part of a family that cared deeply about helping others. His life and work still inspire many people who want to make the world a better place for everyone.

Early life

Dexter Scott King was born on January 30, 1961, at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. His parents were Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. He was named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father worked as a pastor before moving to the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. His older sister Yolanda helped take care of him when he was little.

When Dexter was seven, his father was assassinated in 1968. He and his brother Martin III saw the news about it on television. A trust fund created by Harry Belafonte helped Dexter and his siblings continue their education. Dexter later went to Morehouse College to study business administration, but he did not finish his degree.

Work

Dexter Scott King spent his time in Atlanta, Georgia and Malibu, California. In May 1989, he became president of the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, but he left after four months. He returned to this role in 1994. As president, he worked to honor his father’s memory.

He was a strong vegan and animal rights supporter. In 2013, he joined the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. He also gave voice to his father in the 1999 film Our Friend, Martin and acted as him in the 2002 TV movie The Rosa Parks Story.

Loyd Jowers trial

Main article: Martin Luther King Jr. assassination conspiracy theories

In 1997, Dexter King spoke with James Earl Ray. Ray was in prison for the 1968 murder of Dexter's father, Martin Luther King Jr. Dexter asked Ray if he had killed his father. Ray said no. Dexter and his family believed Ray was not responsible. They wanted a new trial to learn what really happened.

Later, Dexter talked about another man named Loyd Jowers. Jowers said he knew who the shooter was. Dexter thought the evidence showed that more people might have been involved. He hoped to find out the truth about what happened to his father.

Filmography and literary works

Dexter Scott King acted in films like The Rosa Parks Story in 2002 and Our Friend, Martin in 1999. He also helped make a project called King Holiday in 1986. He wrote a book called Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir with Ralph Wiley. The book came out in 2003 from Grand Central Publishing.

Personal life

Dexter King married Leah Weber in a private ceremony in California in July 2013. He was the second son of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. His siblings were Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, and Yolanda King.

Sadly, Dexter faced some difficult times in his family. His mother, Coretta Scott King, passed away in 2006. His sister Yolanda also passed away in 2007. Later, Dexter and his siblings had some disagreements, but they worked through them and stayed close.

Death

Dexter King passed away from prostate cancer at his home in Malibu, California on January 22, 2024. This happened just before his 63rd birthday.