ITLA Mourns the Loss of Yolanda Denise King

In The Life Atlanta, Inc. mourns the sudden passing of Yolanda Denise King. The oldest child of Dr. Martin and Coretta Scott King made her transition on Tuesday, May 15th. Her presence will be deeply missed. She like her parents worked hard and long for justice.  She traveled across the world speaking about peace and goodwill. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, King was a human rights worker and actress. Early in this year, she was named as the first national Ambassador of the ‘Power To End Stroke’ campaign for the National Heart Association.

The Soulforce organization talked about how Yolanda King was a true supporter of their causes.  In May of 2000, Yolanda King joined Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas Gandhi, and other civil rights leaders in Cleveland, Ohio to protest the antigay policies of the United Methodist Church. She was among 187 people who were arrested and jailed. Hundreds of people gathered in Cleveland to hear King to deliver a powerful speech, calling on all churches to end their false and unjust campaigns against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

King was a true friend of the GLBT community.  She said, “If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you do not have the same rights as other Americans. You cannot marry … you still face discrimination in the workplace, and in our armed forces. For a nation that prides itself on liberty, justice and equality for all, this is totally unacceptable.”

Yolanda educated her audiences through dramatic productions on a variety of important topics, from teenage pregnancy and drug abuse to civil rights history and her father’s crusade for equality. “Through the arts,” she said, “you can impact upon people’s attitudes, values, and understandings.”

King was dedicated to continuing her parents work for social change. “I am an artist with very strong social and political concerns.” May we all remember her as a social change agent for the Civil Rights Movement! She was the Founder and President of Higher Ground Productions. On her company’s Web site, King described her mission as encouraging personal growth and positive social change. To learn more about her outstanding work, go to www.highergroundproductions.com.

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In the Life Atlanta, Inc. serves to promote unity, pride, self-empowerment, and positive visibility within Atlanta's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community of African descent through education, advocacy, and coalition building programs.

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ITLA applauds Atlanta metro churches acceptance of black lesbians and gays

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Mission: ITLA serves to promote unity, pride, self-empowerment, and positive visibility within Atlanta's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community of African descent through education, advocacy, and coalition building programs.