Published: January 09, 2006
Judyth Piazza chats with Yolanda King
By Judyth Piazza
Yolanda King, founder and CEO of Higher Ground Productions, is an amazing and dynamic voice among twenty-first century speakers.
She is the first-born daughter of Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Yolanda's mission is to encourage personal growth and positive social change through her artistic endeavors, including acting, producing, speaking and teaching. It is King's passion for peace and positive change that prompted her vision for founding Higher Ground Productions, an organization dedicated to teaching people to celebrate diversity and embrace unity.
Yolanda King has performed or lectured in 49 of the 50 American states as well as in Europe, Africa and Asia for educational, business, religious and civic organizations. She has co-authored a book entitled Open My Eyes, Open My Soul, which demonstrates her commitment to raise awareness and enhance understanding about the importance of diversity. In an effort to help groups and individuals find more personal freedom, King has joined forces with a Life Coach and created her new book entitled Embracing Your Power in 30 Days, a Journey of Self-Discovery and Personal Freedom.
After receiving a B.A. degree with honors from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, King moved to New York. While obtaining a Masters degree in Theatre at New York University, she directed and performed in productions in New York and the Tri-State area. King's speaking accomplishments include presentations at many Fortune 500 corporations; religious and civic events; educational and professional conferences, and colleges and universities across the country. Sharing her message on the importance of embracing diversity and our common humanity, she has sounded the call from the halls of the United Nations to venues in Moscow and Munich. King has been acclaimed for her ability to inspire people from all walks of life to reach higher ground; to motivate people to move forward, and to empower people to make a difference.
As a seasoned and respected actor, many of King's stage, television and film credits reflect her commitment to social change and include portrayals of Rosa Parks in the NBC-TV movie King, Dr. Betty Shabazz in the film, Death of a Prophet with Morgan Freeman, and Medgar Ever's daughter, Reena, in Ghosts of Mississippi. Focusing on the highlights of the Civil Rights Movement, her most recent theatrical production is "Achieving the Dream" where she portrays several characters in the movement for civil and human rights.
King has been honored with numerous presentations, awards and citations by organizations around the country and was named one of the Outstanding Young Women of America. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. (the official national memorial to Dr. King) and was founding Director of the King Center's Cultural Affairs Program. She serves on the Partnership Council of Habitat for Humanity, is a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a sponsor of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and holds a lifetime membership in the N.A.A.C.P. King holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Marywood University.
Judyth Piazza is Editor for The Student Operated Press
Search News
Daily News
