Founded by the late C. DeLores Tucker in 1983, the organization was created to promote Dr. King's legacy through programs in the Northeast region. Most people know the organization for its effort on the King holiday when the group kicks off the official celebration with the ringing of the Liberty Bell on Independence Hall. But in addition to that day, the association has operated a litany of programs throughout the year.
"We've had some very extensive educational programs in the past," said Dr. Bill Tucker, president of the association, who is carrying the torch lit by his late wife. "But the number has dwindled because of lack of resources. It seems that we don't get the type of corporate support we used to get for the programs."
Tucker says one example is the association's signature summer program, College for Teens. Under C. DeLores Tucker's leadership, the program provided a six-week overnight summer residency at Cheyney University for 500 young people.
"We tutored them in the work that they were going to get when they get back to school," said Tucker, "but our funding dried up."
In recent years, the program was modified to a day program, with just a fraction of the students. But this year, the Association is hoping to attract new donors by bringing in new leadership and ideas. Their goal is to bring the College for Teens program back to its glory.
"That summer changed my life and allowed me to learn more about myself and my people and got me into a safe space," says Kyle JR Morris, a former College for Teens participant.
Now a teacher, Morris said he was 15 years old in 2005 and on probation when he was assigned to the program.
"Now that I am older, I wanted to partner with the MLK association and bring the program back," said Morris, who is CEO of the ECO Foundation. "I have fresh legs, and we have a responsibility to give back, and now that I have the ability to do that, we will."
A new member of the association's board, Morris is organizing a revamped College for Teens program this summer for 50 young people in Philadelphia.
"They will be taken to Cheyney University for three weeks and learning about themselves, how to start businesses, how to do taxes, self-love," says Morris.
He's also co-organizing this year's King Day Luncheon, which will feature a town hall prior to the event. The focus is "Equity and Excellence in Education," and will honor educators making a difference. The group is hoping the changes will help the association rekindle its flame.