Legacy of Love — a new film from Boston filmmaker Roberto Mighty — brings to light the mostly unknown story of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott’s formative years in 1950s Boston, where they met as students, fell in love and started on their journey toward becoming iconic leaders in the civil rights movement. We sat down with Mighty to learn more about the film, and what he hopes modern audiences will learn from the Kings' early years in our city.
What would Bostonians be surprised to know about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s time in Boston in the 1950s?
Roberto Mighty: Apparently MLK was known as a great dancer when he was a graduate student in Boston!
What would Bostonians be surprised to know about Coretta Scott’s time in Boston in the 1950s?
Mighty: When Coretta Scott arrived in Boston to attend the New England Conservatory, her tuition was paid, but she had no money for food. A kindly woman lent her money until she could find a job.
In what ways is this film — both a historic account and a love story — particularly relevant today?
Mighty: Legacy of Love illustrates how an intellectual, activist, loving partnership between two people can move mountains. I hope people will be inspired by the Kings' example to advocate for social justice and human rights in our time.
What’s the one piece of information that you hope viewers walk away with after watching this film?
Mighty: Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott didn’t come out of nowhere. By the time they arrived in Boston, they each had been deeply influenced by parents, religious communities, political activists and educators to use their unique gifts to fight for social justice, and they agreed that this would be their mission together.
Legacy of Love premieres on Thursday, August 6 at 9pm on WGBH 2. Join WGBH and King Boston, along with The Boston Foundation, on Sunday August 9 at 6:30pm for a live watch party and panel discussion on the film. RSVP for Sunday night's full virtual event here or tune in below on YouTube for the panel discussion.
