EDMONDS — Several events celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. are coming up in Snohomish County.
Everett
At 11:30 a.m. Friday, the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee will host its first-ever MLK Jr. march followed by a rally in Everett.
All ages are welcome to participate in the mile-long march from Everett Memorial Stadium to the Carl Gipson Center. At the center, attendees can expect speakers, food trucks, community resource information and essays from the Prodigies For Peace award winners.
At 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the First Presbyterian Church of Everett will host a service entitled “The Urgency of Now; From Dream to Reality.” There will be be speakers, music and presentations. The service will be streamed online.
DanVonique Bletson-Reed, president of the heritage committee, said she’s excited to host the first march and to continue the Sunday service’s tradition of being the “oldest and longest celebration to commemorate the life of Dr. King in Snohomish County.”
“Our community choir has been working diligently since October, and we’re excited to share our songs of faith and hope,” Bletson-Reed said.
Edmonds
At 5:30 p.m. Monday, a fifth annual tribute entitled “When Love Changes Things” will be held at Edmonds Waterfront Center. Hosted by Lift Every Voice Legacy, the event will start with a 30-minute reception followed by a two-hour program featuring storytellers, song, spoken word and dance.
Donnie Griffin, founder and president of Lift Every Voice Legacy, said he hopes to share Dr. King’s message of love with the community and to reach the “in-betweeners.”
“The in-between people are the ones who walk between all cultures — walk between conservatives, and liberals, rural and urban — they can reach across those divides,” Griffin said. “The in-betweeners are going to be the people who save this country. I’m looking for them.”
Monday’s event includes “featured storyteller” Leilani Miller, the executive director of Millennia Ministries in Everett. There will also be performances from Josephine Howell, a gospel, R&B and jazz singer. Tickets are $15.
“This is creating space for people who want to be a part of a community free of hatred, injustice and poverty,” Griffin said. “Dr. King talks about the beloved community as a place of love, redemption and reconciliation. Love your enemies, love your neighbors. Forgive them for the things they do wrong, and then reconcile with them.”
At the event, the 2023 Beloved Community Award will be presented to Kurt and Craig Campbell and Suni Tolton. The Campbells, who own Campbell Auto Group, have helped lead the development of Jacob’s Well, a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing, child care and support services for homeless mothers. Tolton is the diversity and inclusion coordinator for the City of Shoreline and has worked to unite the community by overcoming boundaries such as race, gender, gender-identity or economic status.
“These are people who aren’t looking for awards,” Griffin said. “My hope is that people will want to be a part of this beloved community movement.”
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Lynnwood
From 9 a.m. to noon Monday, the City of Lynnwood will host a day of service to honor MLK Jr. Entitled “A Day On Not A Day Off,” volunteers will help clear invasive species and beautify Scriber Lake Park. Materials, such as shovels or rakes, will be provided. Volunteers are asked to meet at 5601 198th St. SW. Register at lynnwoodwa.gov, or contact Marielle Harrington, 425-670-5532, mharrington@lynnwoodwa.gov.
Kayla J. Dunn: 425-339-3449; kayla.dunn@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @KaylaJ_Dunn.
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