M.L.K Day of Service - 2023

MLK Day of Service

NOW IS THE TIME:

WWU, along with our regional partners, honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day on for service, gratitude, and community on Monday, January 16, 2023 from 8-11:30 a.m.

Now is always the time to promote opportunities to pursue change, further participation in the fight for basic human rights, and amplify systemically marginalized voices. Now is always the time for radical change and community action. 

Now is always the time to build a beloved community through democracy, equity and inclusion. 

Latosha Brown in a pink jacket, speaking into a microphone.

MLK Day Special Event

Featuring MLK Day Kickoff Breakfast, Commemoration and Keynote Speaker, LaTosha Brown.

View the recording of the event

This year’s MLK Day special event featured: 

Event Schedule

8 a.m. MLK Day Kickoff Breakfast

WWU Viking Commons

  • Free community breakfast (please RSVP)
  • “Now is the Time for Community in Action” Jason McGill, CEO, Northwest Youth Services.
  • Bellingham Public Schools Art Display featuring, “Picturing Justice: Youth Photographs for Social Action.”

9:30 a.m. MLK Day Commemoration

 WWU Performing Arts Center

  • Welcome from student MCs from Western Washington University and Sehome High School.
  • Land Acknowledgement from Lummi Tribal Member, Free Borsey.
  • Performance of “Poor Man Lazarus” featuring WWU Choral and conducted by Dr. Richard Hodges.
  • “Now is the Time for Radical Change” featuring members the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (Shu-Ling Zhao, Kristina Michele Martens, TeeJay Morris, and Pamela Wheeler.)
  • Livestream keynote address featuring LaTosha Brown.

11:15 a.m. Support for Local Businesses

Guests were encouraged to support all local Black-owned businesses including three selling their products at the event: 

  • Guud Bowls
  • Mo’s Parlor
  • Vividly Vexed

12:00 p.m. Community Service opportunities throughout Whatcom County

Hundreds of community members volunteered during this National Day of Service to support Bellingham Parks and Recreation and Habitat for Humanity. 

Community in Action

Whatcom Human Rights Task Force 25th Annual Conference

January 12-14, 2023

From Divine Dissatisfaction to Joyful Liberation:
How Do We Co-Create a Beloved Whatcom County?

Learn more at whrtf.org

This event is a collaborative effort between the following:

Bellingham Public Schools, A collective commitment Logo
Bellingham Technical College Logo
Whatcom Community College
Northwest Indian College
Western Washington University
PeaceHealth Logo a blue square with the outline of a dove inside it.
City of Bellingham Logo