Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

artistic design of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering a speech on a green background

Each year, our community comes together to learn, celebrate, and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many in our community continue to struggle, guiding us urgently towards collective service.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. catalyzed hope to transform communities in the face of racial hate and violence. Navigating the complexities of our local community challenges, we move towards collective consciousness and demonstrate our commitment to purposeful action through volunteerism, advocacy, supporting marginalized voices, and actively engaging with the issues around us.

This event is sponsored by the Community Consortium for Cultural Recognition which is a coalition of education, city and nonprofit partners in Whatcom County.

Join Us Saturday, January 18, 2025

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Service Projects at noon.
Bellingham High School.
Free. All are welcome.

*All are encouraged to bring unopened, non-perishable food and hygiene items to the event. All donations will support the food pantries at Western Washington University, Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom Community College, and Northwest Indian College.

Time	Program item
10:00 a.m.	Free community breakfast
11:00 a.m.	MLK Day Program: Lift Every Voice and Sing, WWU student Panel Conversation and Q&A Moderator: Dr. William Jackson, Director of Teaching and Learning, Bellevue School District and 2024 Washington State Principal of the Year Miriam Karamoko, Executive Director of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission Ibidunni Ojikutu, Opera Singer High School Student, Bellingham Public Schools Sharaya Lane, Executive Director of Recovery Café and author Ian Garconette, Student, Whatcom Community College
12:00 p.m.	Community Services Projects: National Day of Service - Community service opportunities are available to all after the program On site at Bellingham High School immediately following the program Join the greater community at City of Bellingham volunteer work party (registration required)

Time

Program item

10:00 a.m.

Free community breakfast

11:00 a.m.

MLK Day Program:

Lift Every Voice and Sing, WWU student
Panel Conversation and Q&A
- Moderator: Dr. William Jackson, Director of Teaching and Learning, Bellevue School District and 2024 Washington State Principal of the Year
- Miriam Karamoko, Executive Director of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission
- Ibidunni Ojikutu, Opera Singer
- High School Student, Bellingham Public Schools
- Sharaya Lane, Executive Director of Recovery Café and author
- Ian Garconette, Student, Whatcom Community College

12:00 p.m.

Community Services Projects:

National Day of Service - Community service opportunities are available to all after the program
- On site at Bellingham High School immediately following the program
- Join the greater community at City of Bellingham volunteer work party (registration required)

Accessibility

Bellingham High School is wheelchair accessible. ASL translation is available upon request. Please contact Chris.Roselli@wwu.edu no later than three days prior to the event to request specific accommodations.

Other Community Celebrations

Martin Luther King Jr.: An Inconvenient Hero

Friday, January 17, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Presented by the Salish Current and Village Books
Cost: $5.00

Featuring:

A presentation by award-winning local author and director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Publishing Project, Dr. Clyde W. Ford
A discussion with Miriam Karamoko, executive director of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission

Bellingham Community Co-Op 25th Annual MLK Day Celebration

Monday, January 20, 2025
7:00 p.m.
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Cost: Free to attend
Featuring:

Live music from renowned keyboardist and vocalist Checo Tohomaso
A keynote address from Dr. Sislena Grocer Ledbetter, Director of Health and Well-being at Western Washington University
Special presenter and master of ceremonies Lance Jones, interim executive director at Northwest Youth Services