Neither Martin Luther King, Jr. or Coretta Scott had roots in Boston, but both arrived in Boston in 1951 – Martin to study for his doctorate at Boston University’s School of Theology, and Coretta for a fellowship in voice at the New England Conservatory of Music.
They met through a mutual friend – a story that was brought to video in 2020 by filmmaker Roberto Mighty in his documentary, “Legacy of Love.” They married in June 1953, and stayed in the city until 1954 when Coretta completed her degree in music education and they moved to Atlanta. Circumstances made it impossible for him to return to BU to receive his degree at commencement in 1955 (it was mailed to him, instead) – and he returned for an honorary degree from BU in 1959.
Dr. King returned to Boston on a handful of occasions over the ensuing years, most famously in April 1965.
On that visit, just one month after the marches at Selma, Dr. King addressed a joint session of the Massachusetts Legislature and then led a march from the Carter Playground in Roxbury to Boston Common. In a speech at Parkman Bandstand, he highlighted the scourge of segregated schools and high levels of unemployment and spoke of the unique opportunity for Boston to model the remediation of these ills in America.
The King Memorial provides a unique opportunity to motivate all involved in this work to recommit with urgency to remediating the ills that Dr. King highlighted more than 65 years ago. It will remind residents and visitors alike of the City’s unique history, and that there is still work to be done.
The years the Kings spent in our city were formative for them and influenced their lifelong work, and are a critical chapter in Boston’s history that should be celebrated and honored.