About Arndrea
Arndrea Waters King has dedicated herself to public service as a passionate leader in the global fight against inequity, injustice, hate crimes, and all forms of pain. Throughout her life, Arndrea has consistently worked on behalf of those who have been marginalized by helping them find — and collectively use — their voices for change.
Arndrea is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta. Soon after graduation she joined the Center for Democratic Renewal, an organization founded and headed by Dr. C.T. Vivian, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During her tenure, Arndrea organized the first National Conference on Hate Crimes and Hate Violence with over 100 national partners.
She played a key role in mobilizing the Georgia Hate Crimes Act and prepared major reports and publications, including the landmark “When Hate Comes to Town: Faith Based Edition.” Arndrea also helped organize marches and rallies that led to the building of a major multiracial collaboration known as the Southern Coalition Against Racism and Bigotry.
In 2006, Arndrea married Martin Luther King III. Together, they have championed several nonviolence and social change initiatives, designing programs to advance understanding and activism. Arndrea is a strong supporter of youth activism and believes in helping young people take a peaceful, effective stand for the world issues that concern them most.
Arndrea was instrumental in the partnership with JP Morgan Chase to restore, preserve, and digitize the archives of the King Center. Her support for the Atlanta community includes serving as a board member on the Historic District Development Committee and the Atlanta International School.
Currently, as president of the Drum Major Institute (DMI), Arndrea plays a critical role in creating strategic partnerships and managing the daily operations of this active social justice organization. A nonprofit founded over 60 years ago, the Drum Major Institute has provided Arndrea a platform from which to contribute to the Kingian legacy and encourage individuals to embrace their unique contribution to peace, justice, and equity for all.
As the leader of DMI, Arndrea has spearheaded the effort to organize tens of thousands of activists and more than 100 partner organizations to March on Washington in support of federal voting rights legislation. Her efforts garnered national attention and activated an untapped grassroots powerhouse that is using their collective voice to demand action in Washington in the wake of disastrous laws passed by states that restrict voting rights.
Expanding on the King Family legacy, Arndrea and her husband Martin have recently taken on the key role in fundraising for Black and Brown organizers across the country via their celebrity co-founded, small- dollar campaign Give Us The Ballot and their network of influential allies, the Drum Major Coalition. In August, Arndrea and Martin announced that the Coalition was launch an aggressive investment in 40 national groups that promote freedom, justice and equality. Under her leadership, the organization plans to invest $100 million by 2024
