Everything Everywhere Daily · Monday, September 28, 2026
In the days following Rosa Parks' arrest, the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) was formed to coordinate the bus boycott. Seeking a leader who could unite factions and transcend local history, activists chose the relatively new pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Despite initial reluctance due to the risks involved, King accepted the leadership role on December 5th, 1955, with Reverend Ralph Abernathy elected as his vice president.
“The Montgomery Improvement Association was formed in the days following Rosa Parks' arrest. The Montgomery Improvement Association, MIA, was a civil rights organization formed to coordinate the Montgomery bus boycott.”
“Local civil rights figures sought a fresh perspective, someone capable of transcending internal factions and local history. And they found that person in the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
“Despite his reservations, Montgomery leaders selected Dr. King on December 5th, 1955. They also elected King's vice president, the Reverend Ralph Abernathy.”