PINE BLUFF, AR - Spelman Alumna Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King and chief executive officer of The King Center, will deliver the keynote address during fall commencement exercises for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduating class. The free, public event will be held Friday, December 11 at 10:00 a.m. in the Pine Bluff Convention Center Arena.

Dr. Bernice King is a graduate of Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Masters in Divinity and Doctorate of Law degrees from Emory University. She has also received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Wesley College. In honor of her mother, Coretta Scott King, Bernice returned to her alma mater at Spelman College to announce the establishment of the Be A King® Scholarship. She is currently a member of the State Bar of Georgia, serves on the HOPE Southeastern Board of Directors of Operation HOPE, and is a member of the International Women's Forum.

The King Center was founded by her mother in 1968 and she was appointed to the position of chief executive officer in January 2012 by the Board of Trustees. Nationally and internationally known as one of the most powerful, motivating and life-changing orators and speakers on the circuit today, Bernice leaves her audiences speechless and challenges peoples to raise the standard. The youngest daughter of the late Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Bernice began her oratorical journey when she spoke in her mother's stead at the United Nations at age 17. Over the years, she has had the occasion to speak in such places as the steps of The Lincoln Memorial, The White House, major corporations and universities, and in places throughout the world including South Africa, Germany, and New Zealand to name a few.

Through her work at the King Center, Bernice has continued to educate youth and adults about the nonviolence principles modeled by her parents. In 2012, she implemented an annual N.O.W. Encounter Summer Camp, which has educated youth from New Mexico, South Carolina, Michigan, Alabama, and as far away as Cyprus. In 2013, as she continued her parent's legacy, she spearheaded the August 28, 2013, "Let Freedom Ring and Call to Action" event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and her father's famous "I have a Dream" speech. This global event included President Obama, former Presidents Clinton and Carter, members of Congress, as well as many other international leaders, dignitaries and entertainers. In 2014, as part of the Center's Nonviolence 365 education and training initiatives, she launched Students with King, which enables students to interact with King and Farris family members, as well as those who knew and worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. As part of the student's interactive conversation, which is typically moderated by either a local radio or TV on-air personality, students are given the opportunity to learn about the more personal side of the King Legacy.

As part of her work in 2014, Dr. King provided Nonviolence 365 education training in Ferguson, Missouri that included students, teacher, law enforcement, gangs, businesses, community leaders and activities. She encouraged them to commit themselves to embracing nonviolence as a lifestyle.

In January 2015, under Dr. King's leadership, The King Center hosted its first Beloved Community Talk entitled "The Race Factor: The Lies, The Myths and The Truths" as part of its 2015 King Holiday Observance. One of the most moving and inspirational experiences hosted by Bernice, was The King Center's program commemorating her mother's life and legacy, entitled "Mothers in the Movement: From a Daughter's Perspective."

Dr. King has been featured on numerous television shows, in magazines, as a television commentator and is the recipient of a host of awards and accolades. A noted author, she has to her credit, Hard Questions, Heart Answer, a compelling and inspiring book. She is an innovative, energetic and committed leader dedicated to fulfilling the calling of taking her parents legacy and The King Center into a new era.