Welcome to the official website of the Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. International Nonviolence and Peace Institute, located in Tampa, Florida.

If you have recently heard the name Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., your curiosity may have led you to search for more, first through a website, then social media platforms, and finally through the many organizations, movements, and individuals connected to his extraordinary journey. As you discover more, you begin to uncover the lifelong commitment of a man whose work has influenced generations through the philosophy and practice of nonviolence.

For more than 60 years, Dr. LaFayette’s life has reflected dedication, courage, compassion, and service. His journey has been defined not only by historic moments but also by meaningful relationships and a commitment to teaching and demonstrating the principles of Kingian Nonviolence.

The first principle of Kingian Nonviolence reminds us:

Join us as we explore the remarkable life of Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., a man whose story began in Tampa’s historic Ybor City, where as a young boy he earned the nickname “Mr. Coffee” while delivering coffee to local vendors. During the Civil Rights Movement, his dedication to nonviolence earned him another name among fellow activists and colleagues: “Little Gandhi.” More recently, his lifelong commitment to liberation, justice, and peace has been honored by Ambassador Andrew Young, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Mayor of Atlanta, who recognized him as “LaFayette The Liberator.”

The LaFayette Institute of Nonviolence is more than a foundation, it is an invitation to learn, reflect, and engage with a legacy built upon love, courage, reconciliation, and the transformative power of nonviolence.

This website is a doorway into the life, teachings, and philosophy of Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. We invite you to explore his journey and discover how the principles of nonviolence continue to inspire communities and generations around the world.