The Greater Everett area’s annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration, organized by the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, is returning for its 30th year.
This two-day event brings together community members to honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy of peace, justice and unity. This year’s theme, ‘Mission Possible: Working Together to Achieve the Dream,’ encourages collective action in achieving equality and inclusion.
“Dr. King’s dream was always about unity. This year’s celebration challenges us to reflect on how we can continue working together for a more just and equitable tomorrow,” says DanVonique Bletson-Reed, from the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee. “While we carry Dr. King’s message with us daily, this celebration allows us to pause, reflect and uplift one another as we honor the leaders and changemakers who paved the way.”
Sunday, Jan. 19th MLK celebrations will be hosted at the First Presbyterian Church from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. with speakers, choir performances and presentations from the winners of this year’s Prodigies for Peace Essay and Art Contest. Photos courtesy of the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee.
Day 1: Sunday, Jan. 19
The celebration kicks off Sunday, Jan. 19 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (2936 Rockefeller Ave.). Pastor JJ Frank, executive director of the Marysville YMCA, will deliver the keynote address, focusing on the theme ‘Mission Possible: Working Together to Achieve the Dream.’ His speech will encourage attendees to reflect on Dr. King’s call for unity in the fight for justice and equality.
The program will also feature a performance by the Greater Everett MLK Celebration Choir, blending contemporary and gospel music. Local youth will showcase their talents through the Prodigies for Peace Essay and Art Contest, a program initiated by the late Judge Eric Z. Lucas to honor Dr. King’s legacy through young voices.
This year’s march will kick off Monday, Jan. 20 MLK celebrations. Meet up at the Everett Memorial Stadium at 11 a.m., the march will start promptly at 11:30 a.m. and conclude at the Carl Gipson Center. Photos courtesy of the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee.
Day 2: Monday, Jan. 20
Monday’s celebrations kick off with a March, starting at 11 a.m. at Everett Memorial Stadium (3900 Broadway). Participants will march to the Carl Gipson Center (3025 Lombard Ave.), where speeches, music and community resource tables await.
“The march is a powerful display of our shared commitment to Dr. King’s dream,” says Bletson-Reed. “It’s a reminder that when we unite, we have the power to achieve meaningful change.”
Free parking is available citywide for the event, including underground parking at the stadium. A shuttle will run from the Carl Gipson Center back to the stadium for participants. For those unable to march, the center will open early to accommodate guests.
Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy
For more than three decades, the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee has educated the community about Black history while promoting equality and inclusion. The MLK celebration remains a cornerstone of this mission.
Mark your calendars for Jan. 19 and 20! This free, family-friendly event invites everyone to honor Dr. King’s legacy and recommit to his vision of equality.
The Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee extends heartfelt gratitude to the event’s sponsors, including Change the Narrative and Pitch Black Entertainment and Events, for their support of this year’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration.
