About DMI

Founded in 1961 on Dr. King’s vision of a world free of racism, poverty, and violence, the Drum Major Institute carries Dr. King’s work and vision of radical nonviolence into the 21st century, democratizing it for all people. DMI leads through collaboration by convening leaders and organizations to identify common-sense solutions to our most pressing problems. DMI strives to inspire people to embrace their role in the King legacy, to empower them to build the beloved community, and to take action to promote peace, justice and equity for all.

The organization began out of the turbulent years of the civil rights movement. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legal counsel, Harry Wachtel, a prominent New York lawyer, founded what was then known as the Drum Major Foundation to raise bail funds for civil rights activists working on the front lines in the movement. The Drum Major Institute was relaunched in 1999 by Martin Luther King III, Ambassador Andrew Young, and William Wachtel, Harry’s son. Today, Martin III is board chairman, Arndrea Waters King serves as the Institute’s president, and William Wachtel is the treasurer. Each of them is are member and serves on the Institute’s Board of Directors. Dr. King’s only granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King, leads the organization’s Youth Council.

The Board of Directors is comprised of a unique and dedicated group of individuals, including: Martin L. King III, Arndrea W. King, William B. Wachtel, Esq., Jeh C. Johnson, Scott Rechler, Norman Ornstein, Daniel Roberti, Eric N. Gioia, Frederick Davie, Lisa Gioia, and Verna J. Cleveland.