Wanda Battle

Ms. Battle grew up in Montgomery. Her family owned a funeral home and a taxi service during the 1960’s, and both helped to transport the black community during the bus boycott. Wanda is the tourism director of Dexter-King Baptist Church. She speaks on the origins of Negro Spirituals and how these songs became a part of the first independent black churches. She also talks about how choirs supported Dr. King on his visits around Alabama and the whole U.S.  Speaking with a writer from Southern Living magazine, she explained why she feels people have a new interest in the history surrounding Montgomery and all the history that happened there: “People are fascinated by this history of overcoming and standing for what is right, for advocating and doing it in love,” Battle says. “For you see the result of what love does as opposed to what hatred does. Hatred is destructive. Dr. King advocated love for all mankind.” Wanda Battle describes herself as a child of the movement. Singing as she goes, Wanda welcomes you to the Dexter-King Memorial Baptist Church to learn of the Dr. King’s time in Montgomery and how it propelled him to a national figure. Enjoy her infectious personality, delight in her singing, and ponder the discussions you have with her.