Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc.

About

The Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc. was founded by HonorableDr. C. DeLores Tucker and a group of local leaders in 1983. The King Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, is the only affiliate commissioned by Mrs. King and the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia to promote and perpetuate the nonviolent legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Philadelphia has and continues to enjoy a unique and historic role in the life of Dr. King and his memory. Mrs. King knew that Philadelphia held a special place in her husbands heart and thought it fitting to have a permanent organization dedicated to his ideals of peace and freedom in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Association, was originally founded to develop programs in the Northeast region of the United States and to serve as a pioneering model for future programs in other parts of the nation.

In 1984, the year after the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday was officially enacted, President Ronald Reagan appointed the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King and then-Governor of New Jersey Thomas Kean, to chair the King Federal Holiday Commission, which was charged with determining how the holiday was to be observed. Mrs. King's vision was to have the holiday commence each year at noon with the ringing of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia--a worldwide symbol of freedom, justice, and equality--echoed by bells throughout the world, including those in Big Ben in London and in the Vatican. At the request of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc. lead by the Honorable Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, was given the responsibility for this observance since the national holiday honoring Dr. King began.

Over the years, the Association has worked with area educators, corporations, business, social organizations, and religious and community groups, as well as the general public and seeks to develop and present related curricular, extracurricular and informational programs and events within the general community and to develop leadership in working toward the prevention of nonviolent social change in all walks of life.

33rd Annual National Bell Ringing Ceremony

The National Bell Ringing Ceremony is held each year at the Liberty Bell Center. It receives national press coverage because it is attended by national, state and local officials. The program begins at 11:15 and the Liberty Bell is symbolically rang at 12:00 noon which officially inaugurates the King Holiday. The 2017 National Bell Ringer was be announced soon!

35th Annual Awards and Benefit Luncheon

The King Associationwill hold its 35th Annual Awards and Benefit Luncheon on January 16, 2017 at the Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia Hotel, 17th and Race Streets which started at 12:00 noon. It is held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday and is a living representation of Dr. Martin Luther Kings Dream of a Beloved Community. It honors a virtual Whos Who of Drum Majors persons and institutions whose deeds are exemplary of those fostered by Dr. King. The luncheon is a highly visible affair, with over 750 people in attendance this year. Funds secured through this event assist with annual operation and programming of the Association. The Associations Educational Ambassadors of Nonviolence Club Members are also major participants at the luncheon.

College for Teens Program

The College for Teens Program was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May 2001. Over the years the has provided a unique model for equipping African American and minority high school students with the tools needed to succeed in high school and beyond while preparing and encouraging them to seek higher education. This youth development program emphasized four major components: an After-school tutorial and enrichment program ASTEP; a 6 to 8 week Summer College Campus College Residency (SUCCES) and Day Program; a year-round Mentoring/Career Development and Life Skills Program (MCLS); and Educational Ambassadors of Nonviolence Club.

13thAnnual Childrens Christmas Dinner Party
The Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc.will hostits 13thAnnualChildrens Christmas Dinner Party for underserved children from the Philadelphia and surrounding areas on December 18 th, 2016 for over 700 children at 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Once again, this year, for many children this event has been their first total Christmas experience. They were treated to a full course Christmas dinner, a special Christmas program that embodied the meaning and spirit of Christmas and gifts/toys with surprise visits from special Christmas characters, Disney Characters and Sesame Street Characters and a special guest appearance by Sledge who lead the children in Christmas Carols and others. The ballroom was beaming with Christmas decorations made into a magnificent winter-wonderland. Our College for Teens students also participated in preparing for this event. Kids Serving Kids, a King Associations youth sponsored group, collected food boxes, toiletries and new clothing and distributed them at the event. Please go to our website to see other donations.

On Saturday, December 17th, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Association will once again distribute toysto children on behalf of the Philadelphia Marines Toys for Tots initiative.