BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Hundreds gathered at Union United Methodist Church in Boston’s South End Tuesday to pay tribute to civil rights icon, educator, and politician Melvin "Mel" King.
King, who died March 28 at the age of 94, served as a state representative from 1973 to 1982. In 1983, he became the first Black candidate to make it to the final election for Mayor of Boston, ultimately losing to Ray Flynn.
In addition to holding political office, King served as executive director of the Urban League of Greater Boston from 1967 to 1971, was an adjunct professor of urban studies and planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and founded the Rainbow Coalition Party in Massachusetts in 1997, which merged with the Green Party in 2002 to form the Green-Rainbow Party.
Tuesday's service, named a "Homegoing Celebration," had numerous speakers offering their thoughts and memories of the late King and his legacy, as well as musical performances by groups such as the Boston Arts Academy Spirituals Ensemble and the Ensemble of Union United Methodist Church.
"Today we mourn because a great tree has fallen," Rev. Dr. Jay Williams said. "We also celebrate because Mel’s legacy of love and of liberation, it lives on in each and every one of us."
"Mel’s flame burned with the radiance and warmth that found and is felt in every corner of our city, and everywhere he went, he carried that light with him," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "He held it up to our city and kindled the heart of Boston, a heart that burns brighter every day with the fire of his legacy."
"He’ll be remembered as the community remembers him — bold, brilliant, unapologetic, rooted in service, dedicated to doing what was right, driven above all by love," Gov. Maura Healey said.
On Monday, many gathered at Boston City Hall for a wreath laying ceremony in King's honor.
WBZ's Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.
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