Yolanda Renee King

Yolanda Renee King smiles at the camera. She has dark, shoulder length curly hair and is wearing a blue top and necklace.

Born on 25th May, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia to her parents, Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, Yolanda Renee is the sole grandchild of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She was named in honour of her aunt, Yolanda Denise King, who died a little more than a year before she was born. As Yolanda Renee enters her teenage years, she has already earned the respect and admiration of her generation for her outspoken activism in support of the ongoing work to fulfil the great dream her grandfather shared with America. She has passionately addressed mass gatherings in in protests against gun violence, homelessness and inhumane treatment of refugees seeking asylum on the U.S. southern border. Although both of her parents are energetic social reform activists, they have encouraged her to follow her heart in choosing a career, while being a caring and compassionate person. Yolanda Renee has chosen to become a life-long human rights activist in her own right, while leaving open options for pursuing her own career and interests.

One action Yolanda Renee would like everyone to take:

"Here's my message to other teens. It’s time to build the foundation of the world we dream of. We have one important message to elected officials: it’s time to wake up. People have been asking me why I march. As a 13 year-old without a vote and without any way to pass laws, what’s my role in all of this? Here’s what I tell them: my generation can’t vote, but we can demand that our leaders do their jobs. We know that what people want is not just words on paper, but real action for an inclusive and just country. Marching and activism are the tools we have, and we need to use them... Finally, I march because I know activism works. I’ve seen it in my own family." Read Yolanda's full statement on our Instagram.

Follow Yolanda Renee's Father Martin Luther King III on Twitter and Instagram. Watch a video with Yolanda discussing her legacy here, and Yolanda in conversation with Anne Hathaway here.