Mel King, a Boston activist, and iconic black leader, has died at the age of 94, shocking the nation. Mel King, a prominent former state lawmaker, died Tuesday at his home in the South End 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 several months after a fall about a year and a half ago, according to his wife, Joyce. He was briefly hospitalized at Boston Medical Center but has asked to be released and returned home three days ago.
Mel King’s Death and Obituary: Legendary Black Leader Dies at 94
Mel King, Boston’s leading civil rights activist who has 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 the next generation of leaders working to create a more just society. He has been an important presence in Boston politics for decades, he said, and his work has focused on improving wages and opportunities for everyone. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts commented on his experience working with King and on his legacy of fighting for social justice.
Longtime South End resident King 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 offered his condolences to King’s family and friends, noting that his influence and legacy will continue to inspire future leaders. Funeral plans for King are still being finalized, and a complete list of survivors was not immediately available.
The Death of Mel King: Ethnicity, Family, and Upbringing
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 is the eldest of eleven siblings. King is of African American descent and holds American citizenship. He grew up in the South End area as the son of Caribbean immigrants.
Watts Richard King, his father, was a beach man from Barbados, and his mother, Ursula (Earle) King, was a Guyanese immigrant. King’s parents were both community activists who instilled in him a strong sense of social justice from a young 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 the South End Settlement House, King taught temporarily 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 previously mentioned, King grew up in Boston and was active in the city’s political and social activities. King was a recognized academic in addition to his political and humanitarian efforts, having taught at numerous colleges during his career. He is passionate about empowering youth and creating social change through education.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
