mybio
Mel King, a Boston activist and iconic black leader, has died at the age of 94, shocking the country. Mel King, a well-known former state legislator, died Tuesday at his South End home at the age of 94. In 1983, King made history by becoming the first black person to run for mayor of Boston. Mr. King had been ill for many months after a fall about a year and a half ago, according to his wife, Joyce. He had been hospitalized momentarily at Boston Medical Center, but had asked to be discharged and had gone home three days ago.
Mel King death and obituary: The legendary black leader died at the age of 94
Mel King, a prominent Boston civil rights fighter who died at the age of 94, is being remembered by local political figures. He died peacefully in his sleep. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu thanked King for influencing future generations of leaders fighting for a more just society. He had been a significant presence in Boston politics for decades, she said, and his work had focused on increasing wages and opportunities for all people. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts highlighted his experience working with King and his legacy of fighting for social justice.
King, a longtime South End resident, was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1973 and served for nearly a decade. He made history as the first black person to run for mayor of Boston, although he was defeated in the primary election in 1983. Mayor Wu sent her condolences to King’s family and friends, noting that her influence and legacy will continue to inspire future leaders. Plans for King’s funeral are still being finalized and a full list of survivors was not immediately available.
Mel King’s death: ethnicity, family and education
Joyce Ferriabough is the wife of Mel King. They married in 1951 and had six children, three of whom were Charlene, Karen and Melvin Jr. Mel was born on October 20, 1928 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the eldest of eleven children. King is of African-American descent and of American nationality. He grew up in the South End area as the son of Caribbean immigrants.
Watts Richard King, his father, was a dockworker from Barbados and his mother, Ursula (Earle) King, was an immigrant from Guyana. King’s parents were both community activists who instilled in him a strong sense of social justice from an early age. King returned to the South End after graduating from Claflin College in South Carolina in 1951. After that, he earned a master’s degree in education from Boston Teachers College and pursued graduate studies at Boston and Northeastern universities.
Before working as a social worker at South End Settlement House, King temporarily taught at Boston Trade and Boston Technical high schools. He eventually established an alternative “freedom school” in the same building. King married Joyce Kenyon in 1951 and remained married for the rest of his life. As noted above, King grew up in Boston and was active in the city’s political and social activities. King was a renowned scholar in addition to his political and humanitarian efforts, as he taught at many universities during his career. He was passionate about empowering youth and creating social change through education.
Categories: Biography
Source: Tekmonk Bio, Make Money Blogging
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings