Tag Archives: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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The King Center Mourns the Loss of Dr. Christine King Farris, Founding Board Member, Former Vice-Chair & Treasurer, Esteemed 64 -Year Educator & Sister of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The original King family including Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and his wife, Alberta Christine Williams King (on the left) and their children, Rev. Alfred Daniel Williams (far right), Dr. Christine King Farris (in the center), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King (at the bottom)

Hello World,

In the past few years, the city of Atlanta, the country and the world have lost so many our civil rights icons, people who paved the way for the freedoms that many black people enjoy today. This past week, we lost Dr. Christine King Farris, sister of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but also a civil rights activist in her own right. To God be the glory for a well-lived life! Please read a press release regarding the life of Dr. Christine Farris King below.

The King Center joins the King and Farris families, civil rights activists, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church family, academic family, and people of goodwill worldwide in celebrating the life of our servant leader, founding board member, former Vice-Chair & Treasurer, activist, educator, and family matriarch, the beloved Dr. Christine King Farris. The sister of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. passed on the morning of June 29 at age 95. Celebration of life arrangements will be announced at a later date.

NOTE: Since this post, there has been an update regarding celebration of life arrangements. Please see below…

Dr. Christine King Farris’ family announced that their matriarch will lie in state at Georgia’s State Capitol Rotunda on Friday, July 14, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  A memorial service in her honor is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.  Dr. Farris is the fourth Black American to receive such honors.  Mrs. Coretta Scott King was the first, followed by Congressman John Lewis, and Atlanta Councilman C.T. Vivian.

The complete listing of celebration of life activities are below…

 

Dr. Farris’ life overflowed with acts of service, love, and education that inspired the world for nearly a century. She worked diligently to help build The King Center, founded by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Coretta Scott King in June 1968. The two began a memorial library, documenting Dr. King’s journey and the civil rights movement that same year. As a founding board member and long-time volunteer, Dr. Farris served as vice president, treasurer, and chief financial officer; later becoming senior vice president and ultimately vice chair and treasurer. Dr. Farris led a cadre of educators in developing Kingian Nonviolence curricula, such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Infusion Model for Teaching Nonviolent Principles to grades K through 12. She also wrote the first intermediate-level textbook on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Farris served as the first director of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Early Learning Center and the Right to Read Program. Dr. Farris chaired the planning committees for The King Center’s Salute to Greatness Dinner and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical Service, which later became The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service held in honor of her brother’s birthday and national holiday. For more than 30 years she also served as a presider for the Ecumenical/Commemorative Service.

She was one of the longest-serving, tenured professors at Spelman College, impacting students’ lives for 56 years, from 1958 to 2014. During her tenure, she was also appointed as an adjunct professor at Morehouse College and Atlanta University. Dr. Farris is the author of two children’s books, My Brother Martin, and March On: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World, as well as her autobiography, Through It All: Reflection on My Life, My Family, and My Faith. Dr. Farris is a recipient of Spelman’s first Fannie Lou Hamer Outstanding Community Service Award, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, the International Reading Association (IRA) Teachers’
Choice Award, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Septima Clark Award, the Hyatt Hotels Heritage Community Service Award.

Dr. Farris was born Willie Christine King on September 11, 1927. Following the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, Dr. Farris attended Spelman College earning a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1948. Two years later, she earned a master’s degree in Social Foundations of Education from Columbia University and a second master’s degree in Special Education in 1958. Dr. Farris earned an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Bennett College.

She spent her entire life as a faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church where her grandfather, Rev. Adam Daniel Williams, father, and brothers served as senior and co-pastors, respectively, and her mother served as an organist, church leader, and choir director. Ebenezer was one of the first Atlanta churches to televise worship services in the 1970s. The church broadcast aired Sunday mornings on WAGA-TV, now Fox5 Atlanta. Dr. Farris served as one of the televised service’s producers and was a soloist in The Church Choir. She often served as the mistress of ceremonies at Ebenezer’s celebrations including an annual well-known gospel concert originated by her mother and featuring the M.L. King, Sr. Choir. Dr. Farris continued the choir concert as a living tribute to her mother, providing college scholarships for Ebenezer’s youth. Dr. Farris was
one of Ebenezer’s longest-serving members.

Ebenezer’s first daughter married Isaac Newton Farris, Sr. on August 19, 1960. Their marriage remained an example of love and commitment until his death on December 30, 2017. Her husband, an ordained deacon, supported his wife throughout her work as an educator, activist, and church trustee.

Dr. Farris was a strong supporter of Dr. King and the civil rights movement. She marched in the Selma to Montgomery March for Voting Rights in 1965 and the March Against Fear in Mississippi on June 26, 1966. She encouraged audiences at the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington to become champions for nonviolence and reminisced about her brother’s speech
saying. “On that day, Martin achieved greatness because he melded the hopes and dreams of millions into a grand vision of healing, reconciliation, and brotherhood. The dream my brother shared with our nation and world on that sweltering day of days fifty years ago, continues to nurture and sustain nonviolent activists worldwide in their struggle for freedom and human
rights…Our challenge then, as followers of Martin Luther King, Jr, is to now honor his life, leadership, and legacy by living our lives in a way that carries forward the unfinished work. There is no better way to honor his sacrifices and contributions than by becoming champions of nonviolence in our homes and communities, in our places of work, worship, and learning, everywhere, every day.”

The family will continue Dr. Farris’ work through The Christine King Farris Legacy Foundation Inc. which promotes higher education and leadership development. Established in 2022 to honor her 95th birthday, the foundation raises funds to support the Leadership Program and The Christine King Farris Scholarship, both at Spelman College. The King Center will also continue her legacy through the Christine King Farris Legacy of Service in Education Beloved Community Award.

See the tweet from  Dr. Bernice King, her niece, below…

 

I interviewed Dr. Bernice King a few years ago, and one of the things that I remembered from the interview is that even though all of us see members of her family as civil rights icons, she simply experienced them as family. Not that she didn’t realize their great contributions to this city, country and the whole world, but in her heart, they were just family. And it has been terribly difficult for her to lose so many family members particularly in such a tragic way. Her grandmother was shot in the middle of a church service,  her uncle drowned, her father was assassinated (as most people know) and the lives of other members of her family were cut short as well. Thankfully, her Aunt Christine lived a long life…

Any thoughts?

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Malcolm-Jamal Warner & Michelle Williams To Cohost The King Center’s Beloved Community Awards This Saturday!

Hello World,

The Beloved Community Awards (formerly The Salute to Greatness Awards Gala) is back in-person and is one of the marquee events of The King Center’s week-long holiday experience. This year’s event, hosted by Malcolm Jamal Warner and Michelle Williams, will feature musical performances by MAJOR., Deborah Cox, Goldford, and Angel Taylor. The ceremony will be held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Saturday, January 14th, at 7:30 PM and will stream on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and on thekingcenter.org, Monday, January 16th, at 7:00 PM.

The Beloved Community Awards recognizes national and international individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, pursue social justice, and are committed to creating the Beloved Community.  Afterglow will follow The Beloved Community Awards featuring DJ Frank Ski and multi-award-winning artist, Stephanie Mills in concert.

The King Center is proud to honor

  • Salute to Greatness Corporate Social Impact honoree, Ariel Investments accepted by John Rogers Jr., Chairman and Co-CEO
  • Salute to Greatness Humanitarian honoree, Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia
  • Beloved Community Civic Leadership honoree, Melanie Campbell, President and CEO of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and National Convenor of The Black Women’s Roundtable
  • Beloved Community Social Justice honoree, Shane Claiborne, Activist, Author, and Co-Founder of Red Letter Christians
  • Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation honoree, Aminata Toure, Minister of Social Affairs, Youth, Family, Senior Citizens, Integration, and Equality of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Yolanda D. King Higher Ground honoree, HollyRod Foundation, accepted by Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete
  • Beloved Community Youth Influencer honoree, Panther Anti-Racist Union of Pennsylvania Beloved Community Technological Innovation honoree, Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO, Marshall Plan for Moms and Girls Who Code
  • Christine King Farris “Legacy of Service in Education” honoree, Dolly Parton, longtime education advocate, and entertainer, will be honored in absentia.

“I am excited to celebrate the impactful work that is taking place throughout our world. From honoring trailblazers across industries to educating our audiences on best practices in justice, equity, and peace; the Beloved Community Awards will be a night you won’t forget, as we continue to honor those committed to creating the Beloved Community,” said CEO, Dr. Bernice A. King.

Tickets for the awards ceremony and Afterglow are $250 and $75 for Afterglow only. To buy tickets, click HERE. 

Also, please see below for the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance Schedule of Events:

Any thoughts?

 

Also, please see below

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The Top 10 Blog Posts and or Magazine Articles for Black Christian Women in April 2021…

Hello World,

I’m back with my monthly roundup of blog posts and or magazine articles for black Christian women! Below is my Top 10 monthly roundup of blog posts and or magazine/newspaper articles for black Christian women for April, but you don’t have be a black Christian woman to to check them out. As usual, let me know if you like my list! Enjoy and share!

1. “FAMU Alumna Kimberly Godwin Named ABC News President” by Andrew Skerritt

Excerpt: Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumna Kimberly Godwin has been named president of ABC News, the Disney company announced Wednesday. Godwin, who has been executive vice president of news at CBS News since 2019, will oversee editorial and business operations for broadcast, digital, streaming and audio news across the network, which includes trusted and iconic franchises “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight,” “20/20,” “Nightline,” “The View,”  “This Week,” and FiveThirtyEight. See more at: famunews.com

2. “Meet The Black Women Hair Team Who Made Oscar History” by Jazmine A. Ortiz

Excerpt: Neal created over 100 wigs for the film, including two worn by Davis. One of these was a custom-made wig she crafted with European-imported horsehair. The story behind the process that took the actual horsehair strands to Hollywood-level hair perfection is all too real. First, the bundles had to be rid of inactive lice eggs and manure. She explained in an interview with Vulture, that in order to not lose control of the hair, she had to build the wig before she cleaned it. Neal used a single-strand ventilation method to manipulate the thick horsehair and each time she pulled a strand through, manure and lice eggs were scraped off. See more at: xonecole.com

3. “My Win As The First Disabled Black Woman On The Oscars Red Carpet” by Andraéa LaVant 

Excerpt: Sunday evening, when my rhinestone-lined wheelchair tires rolled onto the iconic Oscars red carpet, I inhaled deeply, embracing the fact that I was making history as the first visibly disabled Black woman at the Academy Awards. It’s rare that I entered a space and felt like I could bring all of me without rejection and exclusion. At my Black church, I was the disabled girl. At my all-disabled summer camp, I was the Black girl. I never saw anyone who even remotely resembled me in the media. See more at: essence.com

4. “Sherri Shepherd Celebrates Her 54th Birthday After Losing 20 Lbs.: ‘This Is the Best I’ve Ever Felt’” by  Julie Mazziotta & Jason Sheeler

Excerpt: Shepherd is celebrating her weight loss — and her 54th birthday, on April 22 — with a fun photoshoot “influenced by some of the powerful and trailblazing women that paved the way for women of color in Hollywood,” she says. The classic Hollywood-themed shoot is “in the spirit of Dorothy Dandridge, Hattie McDaniel, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll and so many others.” “I’ve been blessed to not only reach 54, but to also have years in this industry with a body of work and accomplishments that I’m proud of,” she says. “I’m strong, intelligent, sexy, talented and pretty funny.” See more at: people.com

5. “Harriet Tubman’s Father’s Home Discovered by Archeologists in Maryland” by Elisha Fieldstadt

Excerpt: The artifacts on the site date back to the early and mid-1800s. Ross acquired the 10 acres in the early 1840s from a slave owner who wrote in his will that Ross should be freed five years after his death and inherit the land. Tubman was born Araminta Ross in the early 1820s. “For several years we believe that Mr. Ross harvested trees on the property and sold the timber, and the timber was then transported to shipyards by free Black mariners to use to make ships in Baltimore,” Rutherford explained. See more at: nbcnews.com

6. “Nina Parker Makes History With Macy’s First Black-Owned Plus-Size Clothing Line” by Jeroslyn Johnson

Excerpt: E! News host Nina Parker has just made history after getting her plus-size clothing line on display at Macy’s. After designing her own looks for the 2020 Oscars and the 2021 Golden Globes, Parker is set to debut The Nina Parker Collection for Macy’s next month, E! News reports. The line is the department store’s first time ever displaying a plus-size line created by a Black woman. See more at: blackenterprise.com

7. “10 Notable Black Female Preachers You Should Know” by Jasmine Grant 

Excerpt: No list of noteworthy Black female preachers would be complete without including the late Reverend Prathia Hall, a theologian who is widely remembered for her role in the Civil Rights Movement. The Philadelphia native came from a lineage of preachers, as her father, the Rev. Berkeley Hall, was a Baptist minister. After graduating from Temple University, Hall joined the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and was one of the first Black women to become a field leader in southwest Georgia. She went on to receive a doctorate in theology from Princeton University, and eventually became pastor of Mount Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia, her father’s church. Hall is widely credited for inspiring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Dr. King had been in the audience at Mt. Olive Baptist Church during a prayer led by Hall where she used the phrase “I have a dream.” Hall passed away on August 12, 2002. See more at: newsone.com

8. “Meet the New Jersey Woman Who Owns Over $200 Million in Real Estate and Several IHOP Franchises” by Charlene Rhinehart

Excerpt: Bayoh came to the United States at the age of 13. She escaped the civil war in Liberia and set out on a mission to create a better life for herself. She’s exceeded expectations, becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs in New Jersey. “For me, passion is a key ingredient for success in business,” Bayoh shared in an interview with Black Enterprise. “I am also a very hard worker, and once I make up my mind to do something, I immerse myself in it and figure out how to succeed. Also, having gone through so much in my life, I understand the value of taking a risk, and I am not afraid to take risks.” See more at: blackenterprise.com

9. “Meet Ayesha McGowan, the first Black American Woman in Pro Cycling” by Sana Noor Haq

Excerpt: McGowan says it’s her stubbornness that has pushed her to become the first Black American woman in pro cycling. She comes from a long line of matriarchs, inheriting tenacity and grit from her grandmother, mother and older sister. “I set my sights on something and wasn’t willing to stop until I got it,” she says as she remembers cycling on her grandparents’ expansive land in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, following her grandmother as she rode on a Red Cruiser. See more at: wfsb.com

10. “Kerry Washington Curates ‘Powerful’ Mother’s Day Jewelry Capsule — and Enlists Her Mom to Model” by  Brittany Talarico

Excerpt: Debuting on April 26 ahead of Mother’s Day, the “Birth Of Mother” collection is inspired by Italian artist Botticelli’s famous painting, The Birth of Venus, and “is a nod to women being born of nature and their sensuality, strength and allure.” The nine-piece capsule —  ranging in price from $120 to $480 — includes earrings, rings and necklaces featuring delicate organic pearls and set in sustainable 14k gold vermeil. See more at: people.com

If you know of any black Christian women bloggers and or writers, please e-mail me at jacqueline@afterthealtarcall.com as I’m always interested in expanding my community of black Christian women blog, magazines and websites. As I noted before, while this is a roundup of interesting blog posts and or magazine and newspaper articles for black Christian women, you don’t have to be one to appreciate these pieces  🙂.

Any thoughts?