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Rocky Mount Today
By the People, for the People
NC Professor's Film Reveals MLK's 'I Have A Dream' Speech Origins in Rocky Mount
Documentary explores how Dr. King's iconic refrain was first uttered at a gym in North Carolina nine months before the March on Washington.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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A new documentary from an NC State professor explores the inspiration behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech, revealing that King first delivered those historic words at a gym in Rocky Mount, North Carolina - nine months before the March on Washington. The film features never-before-seen photos of King's speech in Rocky Mount and interviews with local residents who were there that night.
Why it matters
This discovery sheds new light on the origins of one of the most famous speeches in American history and the role that the small town of Rocky Mount played in the Civil Rights Movement. The documentary honors the local history and community that helped shape King's powerful message.
The details
Through his research, professor Jason Miller found that King first uttered the 'I Have a Dream' refrain at a gym in Rocky Mount in November 1962 - nine months before delivering the iconic speech at the March on Washington. Miller uncovered two never-before-seen photos of King delivering the speech in Rocky Mount, which were nearly lost to history. The documentary also explores how King's speech was inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes, whom King considered a close friend.
- In November 1962, King delivered the 'I Have a Dream' speech at the Booker T. Washington Gym in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
- In April 1967, King delivered another Langston Hughes-inspired speech, 'The Other America', at Stanford University.
The players
Jason Miller
An NC State professor who directed the documentary 'Origin of the Dream' exploring the origins of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech.
Herbert Tillman
A Rocky Mount resident who was 17 years old when he attended King's speech at the Booker T. Washington Gym in 1962.
Langston Hughes
A renowned poet whose work inspired Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speeches, including 'I Have a Dream'.
What they’re saying
“When Dr. Martin King's face showed, everything just got loud and cheering. Everybody was so happy, and I was happy too.”
— Herbert Tillman, Rocky Mount Resident (WRAL)
“Dr. King's genius was to start with the poetry of Langston Hughes, then add it to the American dream, and finally, at the very end, make it also prophetic in this particular regard.”
— Jason Miller, NC State Professor (WRAL)
What’s next
The documentary 'Origin of the Dream' will be screened later this year at Stanford University, where King delivered another Langston Hughes-inspired speech in 1967.
The takeaway
This discovery shines a light on the local roots and literary origins of one of the most iconic speeches in American history, honoring the small town of Rocky Mount's role in the Civil Rights Movement and the enduring power of King's words.
