Samuel Rodriguez’s Board Welcomes MLK’s Daughter

To advance the cause of civil rights in the United States of America, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), announced today the significant appointment to the NHCLC board of Dr. Bernice A. King, the youngest child of human rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and the CEO of The King Center. 

“Racial tension and conflict have been evident in each generation and many leaders have made great strides toward resolving this strife. We hope this appointment will continue to advance the work of leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Rev. Rodriguez. “It is time for a Christian civil rights movement in America that will protect life and religious liberty and bring the races together around the person, crucifixion, resurrection and saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 

Dr. Bernice A. King and the NHCLC have worked together previously on issues of social justice and immigration reform. Her appointment to the board will continue these efforts for the cause of unity. 

“I am humbled by this appointment,” said Dr. Bernice A. King. “The timing of this appointment comes on the heels of the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the event that catapulted the ‘Modern Civil Rights Movement’ led by my father, which revolutionized our nation through nonviolence. That Movement was rooted and grounded in the love of God and the love of His people. 

“In reflecting on the past 60 years and the current climate of our nation and world, it is clear that it is time for a new nonviolent revolution that is again fueled by the transformative love of God,” she continued. “I believe the NHCLC will be a part of that new revolution, and I look forward to joining them for the cause of God, unity and humanity.” 

NHCLC is the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization. It serves as a representative voice for the more than 100 million Hispanic evangelicals assembled in over 40,000 U.S. churches and another 500,000 congregations spread throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora through its worldwide entity CONEL. For additional information, visit nhclc.org.