Over 35 years have passed since the death of a great man named Dr. He was a man that symbolized the power of the word, and the power of love and challenged Americans, both black and white, to live up to the best that was within them. Such a leader is not born- but made. He was a leader made by his answer to a call. As a black Baptist preacher, he answered the call of God. In doing so, he swore to do that which is right before that which is popular. He was also summoned to lead his people and to suffer with them. Martin Luther King embraced the tradition of call and response and declared himself a man willing to rise to the occasion of leadership, regardless the personal cost.
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He was born on January 15th, 1929, to Alberta Christine Williams and Martin Luther King, Sr. His mother was an intelligent woman who taught school after completing studies at Atlanta's Spelman College. A lover of music, she was the official organist at the Ebenezer Baptist Church for many years. His father, born in Stockbridge, Georgia, had worked very hard to get an education so that he would not have to partake in the family business of sharecropping. Martin Luther King, Sr. gained the affection of his father-in-law which led to his invitation to co-pastor with A.D. Williams (Alberta's father) at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. After 37 years of pastoring, Reverend Williams died of a heart attack, passing the pastorship onto Martin Luther King, Sr. With his dedication and determination, Martin King, Sr. brought membership from a few hundred to almost four thousand.
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Martin Luther King. Sr. and his wife Alberta were doing quite well financially when they started having children. Their first child was Christine King, followed by Martin Luther King, Jr., and ending with Alfred Daniel Williams King III. Their parent encouraged them all to strive for excellence and the pursuit of knowledge. The King family viewed education, like many black people, as the key to getting ahead.