The influential figure advocating for civil rights and racial equality in the U.S. was Martin Luther King Jr. A prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, King is best known for his commitment to nonviolent protest and his motivational speeches, including the famous "I Have a Dream" address delivered during the 1963 March on Washington. He fought against racial segregation and injustice, leading initiatives that resulted in landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King’s legacy continues to inspire movements for social justice worldwide.