The idea driving this work was to recognize unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement who fought for racial equality. For Black History Month this year, we went in search of those men and women who did their part to change the history of America, without seeking fame or reward, simply because they saw the need to become part of the solution. The movement, in which African Americans struggled for equality during the 1950s, 1960s and beyond, could not have succeeded without thousands of people making important, if often overlooked, contributions, and without millions of people moved by their efforts, deciding that it was time to do the right thing.
Our goal was to create a video with one of those unsung heroes as part of a multimedia package of content across the AARP Bulletin print publication and AARP’s website. We set out to find a willing subject who could remind viewers of the real danger people faced at the time and establish a personal connection to history with our audience.
We focused on Martin Luther King Jr.’s travel secretary, 82-year-old Willie Pearl Mackey King. And we hoped her story would allow viewers to learn about the circumstances that enabled King to write and distribute his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Mackey King worked from 1962 to 1966 as a member of Martin Luther King Jr.’s executive staff.
We brought this video to life by connecting with Willie Pearl Mackey King and allowing her personal narrative to take front and center. Our plan was to film her speaking directly to camera, so that viewers would feel an intimate connection with her and look eye to eye with a woman who risked her life to propel the Civil Rights Movement.
Our first challenge was scheduling a date to film her. At 82, Mackey King maintains an extensive travel and social calendar as a grandmother and leader within her church. But ultimately, we executed our filming plan and used an eye-direct device to allow her to look directly into the lens and see our interviewer at the same time. Her direct address to the camera is impactful, reminding us of the significance of preserving historical moments through firsthand narratives.
Once we began editing, we wanted to include select visuals to punctuate Mackey King’s story. We researched historic photos and footage, such as the Birmingham protests. Through the use of actual news footage, audiences were reminded of the real danger and drama of the time and could better empathize with the woman who helped shape history.
We also brought in our Art Director to design motion graphics that depicted the many items Dr. King found and used to write on, so that his message could be smuggled out of jail. The visuals in the video helped the audience understand how Mackey King worked to piece the writings together and type them up into a cohesive whole.
We published the video as part of the Unsung Heroes multimedia package on AARP’s website and as a standalone video on AARP’s main Facebook and Black Community accounts during Black History Month to align with other celebrations of Black excellence online.
The video was a success by all measures on AARP’s website and Facebook accounts. It has reached more than 100k people, garnering close to 90k views and 5,632 engagements with many comments thanking AARP for providing more information on this piece of history. Many of the commenters expressed how this video inspired them to continue to advocate and vote for justice and change in their own lives, with many more expressing how they are grateful to know more about Mackey’s journey. This emotional impact has been demonstrated through comments such as,
“Thank you Ms Pearl. Like Dr King, you are a role model and a part of our continued struggle for equality. God Bless you.”
“So much knowledge Thank you for sharing. And I will continue to vote for justice and change.”
“Thank you for this so, important bit of information…”
“Thank You Ms. Willie Pearl for your kindness and generosity to Dr. Martin Luther King Legendary Civil Rights Icon!!!! God Bless You!!!”
Additionally, our full video interview with Mackey King has been preserved for posterity through the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. When members of the Institute saw the video, they reached out to AARP to request a copy of the interview and transcript for their archives. Now, future generations will be able to access her story and recognize her contributions within the Civil Rights Movement.
