Rising Stars: Meet Meka King

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meka King.

Meka, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was at home, as we all were, and picked up my phone to browse social media. I had just finished a workout and the sweat was still dripping from my chest and brows. I scrolled to see a post from an activist that I follow that was blurred out for sensitive content. The caption read: His name is George Floyd. I am furious. This is MURDER. I had already grown weary of the men and women of color being killed by law enforcement. I wasn’t desensitized. But I did think… here’s yet another one. Having worked in TV news, there isn’t much that I haven’t seen or cannot stomach. But I had no idea how very different what I stumbled upon would be. I remember clicking on it and seeing that it was nearly 10 minutes long. I thought… there is no way I am about to watch this entire video. But when I pressed play, time suspended. But I processed thoughts and emotions in real-time.

At first, I thought… wow, these cops are really using excessive force on this man. Then I thought, dude, just chill, please… they are going to kill you. I found myself pleading with him and with them… as if my pleas could change the outcome. I went from standing to sitting down on my staircase to brace myself. It seemed like it would never end. But also like I didn’t want it to so I would not witness the inevitable. I was angry, then sad, then angry again. Then the tears started to stream down my cheeks. How was I watching this man’s life be taken so up close and personal as if it was a series on Netflix? I will never forget the look on the officer’s face. So disconnected, so unmoved, lacking any ounce of human cognizance or compassion. I remember thinking that this was the face of someone possessed by sheer, unbridled evil. His hands in his pockets. So calloused. So cold. So calculated. So uncaring. Then I saw George Floyd take his last breath after repeated cries that, “I can’t breathe.” The moment was so clear when he left us. I gasped.

My heart was racing. I knew it was coming. I wasn’t prepared, even though I knew it was coming. The tears were more frequent now. I continued to watch. I was paralyzed. The video ended and I sobbed. I couldn’t fully process what I had just seen. And just weeks after still trying to process the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. It was too much. I have a group of friends on Instagram who talk about literally everything. I immediately sent them the video. I knew they didn’t know. I warned them. “Guys, this is bad. This is really bad. I don’t have words. They killed this man. They killed him.” Soon the news started to spread and the next few hours/days/weeks/months were filled with grief, pain, anger. Passion and the fight for justice. Justice for George… justice for Black people in this nation… justice for people of color… freedom from this grossly oppressive system and way of life that we call the American way.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an advocate. I’ve spoken up for myself and for others. I have spoken out against things that weren’t right. It’s just who I am… it’s a part of my nature. I am compelled to fight against injustice wherever it rears its ugly head. In the workplace, in the world… wherever. I had already been on a journey before that video on May 26 stopped us all in our tracks. I was speaking out about racial injustice on social media. I was gaining a voice of influence that I never expected. I was challenging views and perspectives. I was raising awareness and educating. I was also getting backlash and losing friends. Because no system was exempt. Not even the place I called home all my life… the Church. The Body of Christ. I was challenging everything! And this catapulted life to a whole new level. I didn’t plan for it. I didn’t anticipate it. I didn’t ask for it and I sincerely wish that it wasn’t even necessary. But I knew I didn’t have a choice. If not me… then who? If not now, then when?

I knew that every system, institution and entity in our nation was under scrutiny, being exposed and examined. I knew most, if not all of them, were coming up short. It was beyond time for change. I attended protests and used my voice to disrupt whenever I could. I attended a forum by the Broadway Advocacy Coalition that shone a light on the racial inequities on Broadway. It was incredible. I was so moved by the passion of this community to dismantle such a toxic structure. I knew that our community here in Central Florida was not exempt. Those same toxic processes and structures exist here. So I brought the forum to our area. The Central Florida Entertainment Advocacy Forum. It was intended to be a 3 day forum to raise awareness and hopefully start the process of getting rid of the harm and building a better industry together. It met that intention and then some. It ignited our community in a way none of us expected. We knew the work wasn’t done. I knew my voice was still needed. So we decided to form the Central Florida Entertainment Advocacy… an organization committed to racial justice and diversity, equity and inclusion in the arts and entertainment in Central Florida. WHAT??? If someone had told me my life was headed in this direction… leading a movement… I never would have believed it.

I am a singer, actor, worship leader, recording artist. Before the pandemic I completed a ship contract doing the Broadway musical, After Midnight. I had dreams of being on Broadway or the West End…touring the world sharing my voice and my music. I had no idea this was in store. However, I couldn’t ignore the very innate part of me that wouldn’t let this moment pass by. The advocate in me. The seeker of justice. The one who wants to see wrongs made right. So here we are. Here I am. Fighting daily. Learning daily. Educating daily. Challenging daily. Working hard to ensure that the industry we rebuild is one that we can all be proud of. One that is safe and just for those coming after us. I’m so proud of CFEA and everyone who helps make this happen. I’m proud of everyone who has said yes. I’m proud of me for saying YES. None of us planned for this. But I’m so glad WE ARE HERE!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Hahahaha! Whew! Smooth??? Nah… bumpy is even an understatement. Ha! Some days in this fight, I’ve battled with people whose ignorance and hatred have left me utterly depleted and exhausted. I’ve been heartbroken to find out the true hearts of people I’ve called friends. People I’ve done life with and even worshipped and shared faith with. It’s been a huge weight and burden to bear. Add challenging the power structure of an industry and forget about it. There is nothing easy about that. I will say that we have an incredible community that is more receptive than most. I am grateful for that. But change does not come easy. We are fighting decades of inequity. It doesn’t just go away overnight.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am, by trade, a writer and journalist. I attended the Medill School of Journalism in Chicago, IL where I majored in Broadcast Journalism. I worked in TV news for three years before I followed my passion. In my youth, I considered singing a hobby, an outlet… something I loved to do with my free time. While I was in college, I discovered it was MUCH MORE! I did my first musical. I made music with friends. I knew it was where I wanted to be. But I was told to finish my studies and get a “real job.” I did that. I came home and worked for Channel 13 and Channel 9. But I sang every chance I got. Finally the passion overtook the vocation. I asked for time off of work to do a music gig one day and was denied. I was told I needed to make a choice. I did… I left the newsroom and never looked back. I started working for theme parks. I became the Drama Director at my church. I built a pretty steady theme park career. I started singing background vocals for major Christian artists. I toured the world singing with them. I started recording my own music. I released two albums and a live DVD. I pursued theatre once again, performing in some of my favorite Broadway shows. In all of that, I think I am most known in the community for my perseverance. I have a fighting spirit (surprise, surprise! Ha!) I don’t quit. Ever. Even when it looks like I should. Even when all of the odds are stacked against me. I keep trying. I go after what I want. I don’t let anything, not even lack, get in my way. I think people are really inspired by that. Ha! I know it’s more of a battle than many see from the outside looking in. It’s hard. But I’m grateful that God graces me with the strength to keep going.

I am most proud of my Sophomore Album, BELIEVE: The Live Recording. This project was literally my life’s work and is my life’s message. The takeaway: believe in God, believe the Word of God and believe God for the impossible. It started as an impossibility for me. I didn’t have the resources to do a live album. And after the arduous work of my debut album, Count It All Joy, I was not looking forward to that journey again. But God wouldn’t let me give up. It took 7 years to release. There were insurmountable hills and painful valleys along the way. But I will never forget the day the live recording took place. 350 people gathered to worship and make bold declarations of faith with us. Songs that came out of my faith and my journey were embraced and elevated. God moved in the room something fierce. And my vision for excellence was on full display. It was monumental. People still tell me how impacted and inspired they were. Some people were healed that night. Others were ignited with the faith they needed for their futures. It was powerful! In addition to the music, my non-profit organization KINGDOM Ministries and some amazing volunteers, presented the BELIEVE PROJECT. We took a family out of a local homeless shelter, found them housing and completely furnished it for them. We also helped a little girl with a terminal illness live her dream of being a singer by recording a song for the album. I still get chills when I think about it. I’m most proud of this work. It is most accurately WHO I AM and what I desire to be.

Can you talk about how you think about risk?
My entire life is about taking risks. There isn’t a single thing I’ve done that didn’t require taking a risk. Or what I call “stepping out on faith.” There are no guarantees in life. And while my personality is one that is very causal. IE… you work hard, you get the results. I realize that this isn’t always the case. Life does not have a formula. If anyone tries to tell you that they’ve unlocked the code… they lie. Ha! We all have journeys. Those journeys are all unique… purposed and intentioned just for you. So you have to walk out your path… trusting, taking leaps of faith and mitigating risks along the way. Risks are necessary for any degree of success or forward movement. Even when we take risks and fail, it’s still a win because we learn and grow in the process.

Contact Info:

• Email: cfeaforum@gmail.com
• Website: www.mekakinglive.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mekaking
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mekakingmusic
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/mekaking
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/mekaking