Author, speaker Alexs Pate will be the keynote speaker
America owes a debt of justice which it has only begun to pay. If it loses the will to finish or slackens in its determination, history will recall its crimes and the country that would be great will lack the most indispensable element of greatness—justice.” —Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The public is invited to join King County and its employees to celebrate the life of civil rights pioneer Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘The theme of this year’s celebration is a reminder that one of the goals of Dr. King’s “Beloved Kingdom” was justice and that goal is always a “work in progress.”
Seattle’s historic 5th Avenue Theatre will be the backdrop for the celebration, now in its 30th year. This free event recognizes the achievements of America’s foremost leader for Civil Rights and commemorates Dr. King’s vision of an America offering opportunity for all.
Alexs Pate, author, professor, and founder of the Innocent Classroom program for K-12 educators, will present the celebration’s keynote address. The Innocent Classroom program focuses on ending educational disparities by closing the relationship gap between educators and students of color.
Other speakers at the celebration will include King County Executive Dow Constantine.
The event will also feature musical performances by the Seattle Women’s Steel Pan Project, a multi-generational, multi-ethnic women’s Caribbean steel drum band dedicated to creating a space for women and girls in music through arts education.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is accessible. Sign language interpretation will be provided. Other reasonable accommodations will be provided upon advance request. For more information or to request reasonable accommodations, please contact Paula Harris-White at 206-263-2444.
Learn more about our County’s namesake and King County’s MLK Celebration at www.kingcounty.gov/MLK.
