The members, officers and associates of the NAACP extend their sincerest sympathy to the family of Yolanda King, the eldest child of civil rights leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Yolanda collapsed and died yesterday in Santa Monica, Calif. following a speech at an American Heart Association event. She was 51.
"Yolanda King's death saddens us all, not least because of her young age," said NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Julian Bond. "In Atlanta, she was my neighbor and my children's playmate. She followed her parent's social justice tradition in life. The NAACP joins the world in offering condolences to her family and friends."
The actress, author, producer, advocate for peace and nonviolence, was known and loved for her motivational and inspirational contributions to society, the King family noted in a statement. She lived in California and appeared in numerous films, including portraying Rosa Parks in the 1978 TV miniseries "King" and Reena, the daughter of slain NAACP Field Secretary Medgar Evers, in the motion picture "Ghosts of Mississippi."
"I am shocked and saddened by the untimely transition of Yolanda King," said NAACP Chairman Emeritus Myrlie Evers-Williams, whose own family shared much with the Kings. "I remember her beautiful spirit, her smile and the depth of her humanity. I always admired her ability to keep her sights set, her ability to find herself and express herself apart from the greatness of her family. We extend all sympathies to the King family."
Yolanda founded and led Higher Ground Productions, billed as a "gateway for inner peace, unity and global transformation." She was also a regular attendee of the NAACP Image Awards and had presented at the annual event.
"It is a saddening loss of a very gifted, bright, wonderful human being, who always shared her beautiful smile," said NAACP National Board of Directors member Willis Edwards who spent time with the family during Coretta Scott King's death last year. "In the theatrical world, she had earned the respect of others by learning her craft. She did not let the limelight get to her. She was always a part of the people, a part of us."
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