Martin Luther King Jr. holiday events in Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma, Jan. 12-15, 2018.
“I have a dream,” proclaimed the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to a crowd of a quarter-million people at the 1963 march for civil rights in Washington, D.C., a dream that lives on, celebrated at a variety of local events for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Monday, Jan. 15.
Seattle Colleges hosts their 45th annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Jan. 12, with gospel music, keynote speaker author Ijeoma Oluo and the theme “Nonviolence in a Violent World,” a look at the work of Dr. King to help plan what we need to do now.
Inspired by Dr. King, who said “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve,” and “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’,” Monday’s events include many opportunities for service. Websites including United Way of King County, National MLK Day of Service and Points of Light list a variety of events to join at many locations.
The largest event marking the MLK holiday is the 36th annual event hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee at Garfield High School on Monday, Jan. 15. This year’s theme, “Take a Knee for Justice,” is inspired by the athletes who are taking a public stand to highlight racial injustice and police violence. The day includes a Career/Opportunity Fair, workshops for all ages, a rally with speakers and music, and a march to Westlake Park. The event draws thousands of participants every year — no matter the weather — and welcomes everyone who honors Dr. King’s goals and methods.
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Other community events Monday include Northwest African American Museum’s Open House with films about the Civil Rights Movement, access to speeches by Dr. King and other activities for all ages. Crossroads Bellevue hosts the Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration and Health Fair with speakers, community leaders, entertainment that honors Dr. King’s legacy, and a health fair with services and health-related community resources.
Holiday events in Tacoma on Monday include “Be the Change” speakers and a community outreach fair hosted by the City of Tacoma, a march from downtown Tacoma to the event, and a performance of “11 Days in the Life of Dr. King” at Washington State History Museum.
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday events
Seattle Colleges Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
FRI Seattle Colleges 45th annual MLK Day celebration with theme “Nonviolence in a Violent World,” gospel music by DaNell Daymon and Greater Works, keynote speaker Ijeoma Oluo, author of “So You Want to Talk About Race,” emcee Essex Porter; noon Friday, doors open 11 a.m., Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1634 19th Ave., Seattle (seattlecolleges.edu/MLK/).
Youth-organized March to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
SAT Seattle Parks and Recreation hosts youth-organized march to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., theme “End poverty! Build equity!” with speakers, march to Rainier Community Center, celebration of contributions of youth to keep King’s dream alive, workshops, games, music, food, 11 a.m. Saturday, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2200 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle (206-551-7316 or parkways.seattle.gov/).
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Conference, Bellingham
SAT Keynote speaker, skill-building workshops for children, youth and adults, information, food vendors, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Whatcom Community College, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham; free (whrtf.org).
Martin Luther King Weekend Blues Vespers
SUN Music by Kim Archer and Dean Reichert, Interfaith Amigos Iman Jamal Rahman, Rabbi Ted Falcon and Pastor Dave Brown each reflect on a favorite MLK quote, 5 p.m. Sunday, Interfaith Community Church, 1763 N.W. 62nd St., Seattle; free donations for musicians collected (253-951-9870).
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast
MON Honoring Dr. King 50 years after his assassination, uniting corporate, business, nonprofit, church communities and all to celebrate the spiritual legacy of Dr. King and his work in justice, and to recognize community, corporate and business members furthering justice and reconciliation; keynote speaker Father Stephen V. Sundborg, president of Seattle University; proceeds support the education of young, emerging local leaders; 7-8:30 a.m. Monday, The Westin Seattle; $30-$50, by reservation (mlkprayerbreakfast.com/).
MLK Seattle Celebration
MON “Take A Knee For Justice” theme inspired by athletes taking a public stand to highlight racial injustice; opportunity fair, 8:30-11:30 a.m.; workshops for all ages, 9:30-10:50 a.m.; rally, 11 a.m., march 12:30 p.m. Jan. 15, Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave., Seattle (mlkseattle.org).
MLK Jr. Celebration at NAAM
MON Open house to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., see films about the civil-rights movement, recordings of speeches by King, art activities, for all ages, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S. Massachusetts St., Seattle (206-518-6000 or naamnw.org/events/).
King County Metro honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
MON All King County Metro bus service will pause briefly for a moment of reflection and remembrance to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination on April 4, 1968; 4:04 p.m. Monday (www.kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/news/2018/20180110-Metro-MLK-Reflection-Moment.aspx).
MLK Jr. Day of Service, United Way of King County
MON Sign up for a variety of service projects (uwkc.org/events/mlk-day-of-service/).
National MLK Jr. Day of Service
MON Sign up for events online by city or Zip code (nationalservice.gov/mlkday).
Points of Light National MLK Jr. Day of Service
MON Find events in your community (ww2.pointsoflight.org/mlkday).
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Seattle Children’s Museum
MON Special programs emphasize collaboration, social justice, diversity and equity, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Seattle Children’s Museum, Seattle Center Armory, Seattle; $10.50-$11.50 (206-441-1768 or thechildrensmuseum.org/).
Crossroads Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration and Health Fair
MON Talks by guest speakers and community leaders, entertainment and performances to honor Dr. King’s work, health fair with health-related community resources, health screenings, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Crossroads Bellevue, 15600 N.E. Eighth St., Bellevue (425-452-7886 or crossroadsbellevue.com/music-events/community-events).
MLK Unity Breakfast, Tacoma
MON Honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on activism and inspiring young people, with keynote speaker Roslyn Brock, chairman emeritus of the NAACP National Board of Directors; 8-10:30 a.m. Monday, University Y Student Center, 1710 Market St., Tacoma; $10-$20 (tacoma.uw.edu/news/article/stand-speak-out-2018-mlk-unity-breakfast).
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, Washington State History Museum
MON Celebration of King’s legacy with a performance from the Broadway Center, “11 Days in the Life of Dr. King” educational, musical performance for all ages, 2 p.m. Jan. 15, Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; free (253-272-3500 or washingtonhistory.org).
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Tacoma
MON Speakers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award; Community Outreach Fair 10-11 a.m., program 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 15, Tacoma Convention Center, 1500 Commerce St., Tacoma (cityoftacoma.org).
March for MLK, Tacoma
MON Meet for refreshments and conversation, 9 a.m. Monday, Bates Technical College, 11th Street and Yak Avenue, Tacoma; march to city of Tacoma event, 10 a.m., with shuttle to return to campus (253-680-7000 or bates.ctc.edu/).
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Caring, Tacoma
MON Help remove invasives and restore habitat, bring work gloves, tools provided, 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Point Defiance, Franklin and Titlow Parks, Tacoma (metroparkstacoma.org/).
Martin Luther King Jr. Week, Highline College
TUE-JAN. 19 Speakers and performers explore “50 Years Later: Dreams vs. Reality, ” America 50 years after the assassination of Dr. King; keynote address by Aaron Reader, Renton Technical College dean of students, 10 a.m., lecture by Cecile Hansen, chair of the Duwamish Tribe, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16; lecture by theologian PK Thompson, 11 a.m., lecture by Dr. Benjamin Gonzalez, 1:30 p.m., “The Right to Dream” Living Voices performance, 6 p.m. Jan. 17; lecture by Dr. Shon Meckfessel, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18; lecture by Robert Britten, 10 a.m., workshop 2-4 p.m. Jan. 19, Highline College, 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines; free (multiculturalaffairs.highline.edu/mlkweek.php).