As Atlanta welcomes thousands of international visitors for FIFA-related events, Bernice King is encouraging fans from around the world to visit The King Center and engage with the enduring legacy of the American civil rights movement.
In a video message shared on social media, King welcomed soccer supporters to what she described as a “sacred space full of history, learning, and transformation,” while highlighting the role the center continues to play in advancing the principles championed by her parents, Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
“May your time here deepen your commitment to unity, compassion, and a more just, humane, equitable, and peaceful world,” King said.
The invitation comes as Atlanta serves as a major destination for international soccer fans, bringing together visitors from diverse nations, cultures, and communities. King noted that the sport has a unique ability to foster connection across borders and expressed hope that the spirit surrounding the tournament would inspire broader conversations about peace and human dignity.
In her message, King described The King Center as the “official living memorial” to her father’s life and work. Founded by Coretta Scott King following her husband’s assassination in 1968, the center has long served as a hub for education, reflection, and advocacy centered on nonviolence and social change.
“This center was founded by my mother, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, whose unwavering vision ensured that the legacy of my father would not only be preserved, but would continue to inspire generations toward justice, peace, and human dignity,” King said.
The King Center, located in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn district, houses archives, exhibits, educational programs, and the crypts of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
It attracts visitors from across the United States and around the world who seek to learn more about the civil rights movement and King’s philosophy of nonviolent social transformation.
In her social media post, King connected the global appeal of soccer with her father’s vision of the “Beloved Community,” a concept that envisions a society built on justice, equality, and mutual respect.
“Soccer/football has a powerful way of bringing nations, cultures, and communities together,” she wrote. “May that spirit of unity deepen our commitment to compassion, nonviolence, and creating the Beloved Community.”
The message reflects the King family’s continued effort to use major cultural and international events as opportunities to introduce new audiences to the principles of nonviolence and social justice that defined Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership.
As visitors arrive in Atlanta for FIFA festivities, King hopes many will make time to visit the center founded by her mother and dedicated to carrying forward her father’s legacy.
For King, the significance of the moment extends beyond sports.
“May your time here deepen your commitment to unity, compassion, and a more just, humane, equitable, and peaceful world,” she said, framing the global gathering as an opportunity not only for celebration, but also for reflection on the values that can bring people together across differences.
