Yolanda Renee King, 16, is the only grandchild of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. The teen, along with her parents, is leading a new initiative called Realize the Dream, which aims to motivate people across the country to perform 100 million hours of community service before the 100th anniversary of her grandfather’s birth, in 2029.
Q: How did you become interested in activism?
A: My parents included me in conversations about their work. I was just immersed in activism, which inspired me to go into it. Even from a very early age, I was concerned about issues like homelessness.
Q: Can you tell us about the Realize the Dream movement?
A: It’s about creating a better world for everyone through volunteering. That means stepping up, looking for people and causes that could use your help. If we work together, it’s amazing the difference we can make.
Q: How can teens take part?
A: Just start with something you care about and come up with ways you can help. It could be something like a food drive, or a park cleanup, or raising awareness about an issue. Kids can create change and have a positive impact. It doesn’t matter how young you are, what school you go to, or where you live.