King family launches Drum Major Coalition to fund, empower existing community organizers

Long-stemmed roses rest on the reflecting pool wall at the crypts of civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his wife Coretta Scott King, in Atlanta on Monday Jan. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/David Tulis)

In his final sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached of the “drum major instinct,” calling out that anyone can serve and find greatness in pursuing community organizing.

Today, that sermon is the inspiration for a new initiative launched by Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King, to fund millions of dollars toward organizations working to fulfill what Dr. King strived toward.

The Kings joined “Closer Look” to talk about the Drum Major Coalition and why they chose the initial 40 Black- and brown-led organizations for funding – with plans to expand to even more groups in the next couple of years.