To heal a world in crisis, we must rethink “legacy”—and commit to something bigger than ourselves.
From the time he was born, Martin Luther King III has carried the weight of his father’s legacy—and his dream of a Beloved Community built on justice, love and equal rights for all. Today, in a world burdened by histories of violence, oppression, racism, poverty, fear and disconnectedness, that dream seems more remote than ever.
In answer to these challenges, Martin has teamed up with his wife and fellow activist, Arndrea Waters King, and legacy architects Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger to find a new way forward. Drawing on breakthroughs in neuroscience, psychology, epigenetics and their own lived experiences, they have created a groundbreaking new framework called Living Legacy. It’s based on the simple but profound recognition that our small, day-to-day actions create legacies that have the power to transform, uplift and unite us all. It’s time to reevaluate, recognize, and reclaim those legacies. Living Legacy invites us to live our best lives and lives larger than ourselves—and in doing so, discover the most sought-after yet elusive state of being: fulfillment.
In conjunction with the Realize the Dream campaign, What Is My Legacy? kicks off an essential conversation on how to best refocus our individual stories to achieve collective change. Featuring never-been-told stories from the King family and contributions from celebrities and thought leaders—including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jay Shetty, Julia Roberts, Yara Shahidi, Rev. Al Sharpton and Sanjay Gupta—it’s an extraordinary road map for finding genuine connection, bringing us closer to Dr. King’s dream of a Beloved Community.
Martin Luther King III is a global human rights advocate and the eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. A champion for nonviolence and social justice, he has inspired millions, advised heads of state, and led civil rights initiatives on nearly every continent. Martin served two terms on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners before leading the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was founded by his father. He continues his father's legacy through his work with the Drum Major Institute, focusing on poverty, racism and militarism.
Arndrea Waters King is president of the Drum Major Institute and a passionate advocate for social justice and equality. She organized the first National Conference on Hate Crimes and Hate Violence, partnering with over one hundred national organizations. Arndrea’s work with the Center for Democratic Renewal (formerly known as the National Anti-Klan Network) and civil rights icon Dr. C.T. Vivian, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has been instrumental in advancing civil rights. She coauthored When Hate Comes to Town: Faith-Based Edition and has written numerous articles and publications. She has spoken before mass crowds as a champion of democracy, justice and human dignity.
Marc Kielburger is a New York Times bestselling author, Harvard graduate, Rhodes Scholar and Oxford-trained lawyer. With thirty years as a movement builder and social entrepreneur, he’s collaborated with leaders like Oprah Winfrey and brands like Virgin Group, headlining over 130 live events to inspire millions. A member of the Order of Canada and recipient of ten honorary doctorates, Marc has been named Canada’s Most Admired CEO in the public sector.
Craig Kielburger is a New York Times bestselling author, humanitarian and social entrepreneur. An expert at driving movements for scalable social change and building mission-driven brands, he cofounded Legacy+ with his brother. Craig has received the Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award, the World Children’s Prize and is a member of the Order of Canada. He holds fifteen honorary doctorates and remains a leading voice in global social change.
