Just like her grandfather, Martin Luther King Jr, Yolanda Renee loves to fight for the oppressed. Although she never met the civil rights champion, she sensed within her the same fire and passion that drove his activism. Despite being a teenager, she aims to carry on from where he stopped. Let’s meet Martin Luther King Jr’s amazing grandchild.
Yolanda Renee King is seriously taking after her grandfather. From social justice advocacy to authoring books, she seems to have inherited the dogged spirit of the late icon. She has also expressed how proud she is to be one of the offspring of one of the most respected figures in American history.
Speaking in 2023, during a commemorative event for her grandfather, she opened up about what it feels like to be so connected to him. She mentioned that she enjoys a sense of pride. She also stated that the family “are all challenged to carry forth their unfinished work.”
During the event that Clemson University organized, she stated that the fight for justice runs through the family’s veins. “I feel that somehow, they are with me and that our spirits are joined in the quest for a just, loving, and peaceful world.”
She spoke further about Martin Luther King Jr and his brave, super-supportive wife, Coretta Scott King. Renee King stated that she remains conscious of their presence. “I am also challenged by their inspiring legacy of vision, courage, and their competent leadership. And I know that I’m not alone,” she continued.
Before she rounded off her speech, she challenged other young people to embrace the same selfless spirit. She assured every young person or teenager like her that they aren’t too young to get involved. But who is Martin Luther King Jr’s grandchild?
ALSO READ: Halle Berry Set To Donate Her ‘Entire Closet’ Amid LA Fires
How Many Grandchildren Does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Have?
Yolanda Renee King is the only grandchild of legendary American Baptist minister and activist Martin Luther King Jr. Renee King was born to Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King on May 25, 2008. Here are some additional facts about her.
She Was Born in Georgia and Named After Her Aunt
Renee King was born in Atlanta, in the Southeastern state of Georgia, the same city where her late grandfather was born. There, she learned about his life and legacy. Renee King disclosed in an essay she wrote that her father gave her all the education she needed about the civil rights icon.
Another interesting piece of information about Yolanda is that she was named after her aunt, Yolanda King. Yolanda King was Martin Luther King Jr’s eldest daughter and first child. Yolanda King took after her father and also led the charge for a number of activist causes. Unfortunately, she died just a year before Renee King was born.
She Has Never Met Her Grandfather
Just like her aunt, Renee King never met her grandfather. Even her dad nearly missed out on seeing him. Martin Luther King III was just 10 when Martin Luther King Jr was murdered on April 4, 1968. Despite that, Renee King still feels like she did.
Over the years, she has studied their work and character. She desires to follow their example and promote their ideals. One of these is love. “My grandfather told the world ‘love is the key,’” she wrote in her essay.
ALSO READ: “I Want To Scare My Mother,” Bad Bunny Set To Re-Enter WWE Ring
What Does Martin Luther King’s Granddaughter Do?
Yolanda Renee King is a gun control and anti-gun violence activist. She has lent her voice to the cause on numerous occasions. Speaking with journalists, she traced her motivation to the death of her grandfather, who died when a civilian opened fire on him.
During the same interview, Renee King said, “It is my duty to speak up as a child who lost both her grandfather and great-grandmother to gun violence.” She also called on voters who are sympathetic to the cause to vote in that direction.
“My grandfather once said, ‘The most important step you can take is the short walk to the ballot box,” she added.
Aside from activism, Renee King is also an author. In 2024, she published a book titled, “We Dream a World.” Yolanda Renee King’s book aims to inspire young people to take part in societal change. She described the book, which she dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King, as a “special offering to kids.”
Also, Yolanda Renee King has set up a non-profit organization. They created Realize the Dream in January 2024 to mark the 100th birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. To this end, the organization accepted volunteers who were tasked with performing 100 million service hours before the birthday on January 15, 2029.
How Old Is Yolanda Renee King?
In case you are wondering, “What is Martin Luther King Jr’s grandchild age?” Yolanda Renee King is just 16 years old. But she doesn’t see her age as a challenge or an excuse not to play her part in societal transformation.
“Service is one of the best ways to solve our issues,” she said in a 2024 interview with NPR. “And I believe that it needs to be … taught to kids at a young age,” she added.
Speaking about her Realize the Dream project, she stated, “I think a lot of people, the thing that scares them or discourages them from getting involved is that they think that, oh, I have to do a speech and speak in front of a very fancy rally with a large, large audience. While that is great and impactful, it’s not the only way.”
You Might Also Like:
“I Want To Scare My Mother,” Bad Bunny Set To Re-Enter WWE Ring
Carrie Underwood Opens Up About Performing at 2025 Trump Inauguration
Sunny Hostin and Husband Set To Fight Back Against Insurance Fraud Accusations
Kim Kardashian Faces Backlash After SKIMS Promotes Products Amid LA Fires
Liam Payne’s Father Slammed With Defamation Lawsuit By Late Singer’s Friend