SNOHOMISH COUNTY—The community is invited to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at one of the many celebrations hosted by various organizations. Below is a compilation of those events.
Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee MLK Sunday Service
The Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee’s annual Greater Everett Area Community Celebration kicks off with the MLK Sunday Service Event at First Presbyterian Church of Everett located at 2936 Rockefeller Avenue on Sunday, January 14, from 3-5 p.m. The service to include music, speakers, Prodigies for Peace Youth Award winners, and the GREATER EVERETT MLK CELEBRATION CHOIR!
Beginning over 30 years ago, Everett’s MLK community celebration is the oldest event in the city of Everett commemorating the life and ideals of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. In past years the event featured speakers such as Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, former pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, who was college roommates at Morehouse College and hosted Dr. King when he came to the Seattle area in the 1960’s.
When Martin Luther King Day became a federal holiday in 1986, the Washington Governor at the time, Booth Gardner, approached a few local pastors in the Everett area to help spearhead a celebration commemorating Dr. King’s birthday.
JOIN SCBHC for the Annual Greater Everett Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration MARCH & RALLY Event!
The march commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King’s life, legacy, and work returns Monday, January 15, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Beginning at the Everett Memorial Stadium, the 0.8-mile march ends at the VOAWW Carl Gipson Center with music, food, community resources, speakers, the Prodigies for Peace Youth Award contestants presenting their art and essays on this year’s theme: It Starts with Me… Not A Commemoration, It’s A Continuation.
The VOAWW Carl Gipson Center is located at 3025 Lombard Ave, Everett.
YMCA 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Weekend
YMCA of Snohomish County will honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by hosting its 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Weekend on January 12-15, 2024.
The weekend kicks off with an inspirational breakfast on January 12 from 7 – 9 am at the Angel of the Winds Arena (1028 13th St., Everett, WA 98201) and culminates with a Day of Service on Monday, January 15 from 9 am – 1 pm.
“The Y is compelled to honor Dr. King’s legacy because his teachings inspire our commitment to foster equality and provide opportunities for all in our community,” said Peyton Tune, President and CEO, YMCA of Snohomish County. “Our mission and work are made better every time we reflect on the enduring impact of King’s teachings and legacy.”
The Y has a meaningful connection to Dr. King. Before he was a civil rights champion and humanitarian, before he delivered his universally-acclaimed “I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington, and before he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, King was a young child who found a second home at the Y. As a boy, he learned to swim at the historic Butler Street YMCA in his hometown of Atlanta, GA.
“This unique connection to Dr. King inspires us to live out his values in our daily work,” said Tune. “We look forward to honoring his legacy and then getting out in the community to serve our neighbors.”
Community members are invited to attend the Inspirational Breakfast on Friday morning. Bestselling author and communication expert, Eric M. Bailey, will give a keynote address about how to combat the divisiveness in our society by welcoming all into a conversation, followed by a dialogue about how to move forward and positively impact our local community.
On Monday, January 15, YMCAs throughout Snohomish County will host “Make It A Day ON, Not A Day OFF” community service projects honoring Dr. King’s servant leadership spirit. The Y will mobilize hundreds of volunteers who will give back to their local community through various service projects, including tree planting in Monroe, food bank support in Mill Creek and Mukilteo, and assembling care packages for seniors in Marysville.
“The highlight of the weekend is our Day of Service when we get the opportunity to live out Dr. King’s legacy,” said Tune. “By gathering together to serve, we are truly answering his question, ‘what are you doing for others?’ in a real, tangible way. This is about serving our neighbors.”
For more information about breakfast registration or Day of Service volunteering, please visit ymca-snoco.org/mlk.
Imagine Children’s Museum: Martin Luther King Day
On Monday, January 15, Imagine Children’s Museum in downtown Everett will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., special hours for children to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of nonviolent struggle to promote equality and advance civil rights.
Imagine is a family-friendly Museum dedicated to enriching children’s lives through playful learning. It is a perfect place for children to learn about the values of equality and inclusion championed by Dr. King and other civil rights leaders.
Families are invited to spend quality time together and create new family traditions with special activities, all of which are free with Museum admission or membership.
MLK Day of Service: Help beautify Mesika Trail in Lynnwood
Volunteers will pull invasive plants, help with trail repairs and tree planting along the Mesika Trail—all equipment and tools will be provided. RSVP: HERE
Volunteers are to meet Monday, January 15, 9 a.m., at the Lynnwood Senior Center located at 19000 44th Ave. W. Lynnwood, WA 98036.
Author: Mario Lotmore
