African American writers have incorporated Martin Luther King Jr. into their work since he rose to prominence in the mid-1950s. Martin Luther King Jr., Heroism, and African American Literature is a study by award-winning author Trudier Harris of King's character and persona as captured and reflected in works of African American literature.

When Dr. Martin Luther King arrived in Selma, Alabama, in January, 1965 to organize peaceful demonstrations against discriminatory voting, Sheyann Webb was aged eight and Rachel West Nelson aged nine. This is their account of the events of the winter of 1965 which changed American history.