| Yolanda
King
Infinity
Award (posthumously)
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Yolanda King,
founder and CEO of Higher Ground Productions is the first-born
daughter of Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is
Yolanda King's mission to encourage personal growth and positive
social change through her work as an actor, speaker and producer and
led to her founding Higher Ground Productions.
Yolanda King's
innovative lecture-performances have been experienced throughout the
United States as well as in Europe, Africa and Asia. She is co-creator
of a book entitled Open My Eyes, Open My Soul, demonstrating her
commitment to raise awareness and enhance understanding about the
importance of diversity. Her commitment to personal empowerment is
evidenced in the Higher Ground Productions publishing of Embracing
Your Power in 30 Days, a step by step, daily tool for personal growth
based on her very personal experiences, co-authored by Ms. King and
Wanda Marie.
After receiving a
B.A. degree with honors from Smith College in Northampton,
Massachusetts, King moved to New York to earn her Masters degree in
Theatre at New York University. During this time, she directed and
performed in productions in New York and the Tri-State area. She honed
her teaching skills while working with young people at the King Center
for Non-Violent Social Change. Ms. King premiered her theatrical
production "Achieving the Dream" where she portrays several
characters in the movement for civil rights during the Olympics in
Atlanta. As a seasoned and respected actor, many of King's stage,
television and film credits reflect her commitment to social change
and include portrayals of Rosa Parks in the NBC-TV movie
"King," Dr. Betty Shabazz in the film "Death of a
Prophet" with Morgan Freeman, and Medgar Ever's daughter, Reena,
in "Ghosts of Mississippi" directed by Rob Reiner.
King's speaking
accomplishments include presentations at Fortune 500 corporations;
religious and civic events; educational and professional conferences,
and universities. Sharing her message on the importance of embracing
diversity and our common humanity, she has sounded the call from the
halls of the United Nations to venues in Moscow and Munich. King has
been acclaimed for her ability to inspire people from all walks of
life to reach higher ground; to motivate people to move forward, and
to empower people to make a difference.
King
has been honored with numerous presentations, awards and citations by
organizations around the country and was named one of the Outstanding
Young Women of America. She is a member of the Board of Directors of
the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc.
(the official national memorial to Dr. King) and was founding Director
of the King Center's Cultural Affairs Program. She serves on the
Partnership Council of Habitat for Humanity, is a member of the
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a sponsor of the Women's
International League for Peace and Freedom and holds a lifetime
membership in the N.A.A.C.P. She is the recipient of two Honorary
Doctorial degrees. King was theatrically represented by Larrymore-Kelly
Management in Los Angeles, CA.
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