Martin Luther King Jr. giving his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in Washington, D.C., in 1963. (National Archives)

Martin Luther King Jr. giving his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in Washington, D.C., in 1963. (National Archives)

No march, but many ways to celebrate MLK Day in Everett

The Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee will host a small in-person event that will also be live-streamed.

EVERETT — For a second year, COVID-19 has scuttled plans for a march and rally in memory of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

However, that won’t stop organizers with the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee from celebrating King and his dream. Instead of a weekend full of in-person events, the group pivoted to a day of service, with free COVID-19 testing 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and a vaccination clinic from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

It culminates with an in-person — albeit smaller — Greater Everett MLK Community Celebration. Masks and social distancing are required to attend the event from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett. It will also be live-streamed.

Chairwoman DanVonique Bletson-Reed said the committee followed the lead of a King quote, “Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles.”

“We’re not one to throw in the towel or give up easily,” Bletson-Reed said. “Since COVID is the issue, the reason we can’t get together, we decided to help keep people safe.”

They’re connecting with groups that serve or work with people of color for testing and vaccination. Data has shown people of color are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, which the state Department of Health says is because of systemic health and social inequalities.

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders had the highest seven-day COVID case rate increase per 100,000 people in the state as of Jan. 7. Black people were the second-highest demographic for new cases and hospitalization rates.

Black or African American people made up about 4.4% of the state’s population estimate, according to 2021 Census data. About 4% of people who initiated vaccination in the state are Black, per state health department data.

The committee has 150 tests available and asks that people register online at bit.ly/MLKTESTING before Friday at Mill Creek Foursquare Church, 1415 164th St. SW in Lynnwood. Another 50 are available if more people show up, given the meteoric rise in cases and long lines for testing the past two weeks.

“We’re gonna roll up our sleeves and help try to beat this,” Bletson-Reed said.

The in-person celebration Sunday features art, essays, music and a speech.

Over 30 young people will be honored for their art and essays in the Prodigies for Peace contest started by Judge Eric Lucas, who died in September. Lucas was the first person of color elected as a Snohomish County Superior Court judge.

Instead of the large choir that used to sing gospel music, a smaller MLK Community ensemble will perform this year.

Nekya Johnson, director of community impact and grant-making at the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, is the keynote speaker.

The First Presbyterian Church’s attendance for the event is limited to about 200 people. Bletson-Reed said she hopes everyone across Snohomish County considers attending, if comfortable doing so. But if not, people can tune in through the committee’s Facebook page, facebook.com/SCBHC.

“Despite the obstacles, despite what we’re dealing with, we want the people of Snohomish County, our community, to feel encouraged,” Bletson-Reed said.

Ben Watanabe: bwatanabe@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3037; Twitter @benwatanabe.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Mx. Kenbie reads ‘My Shadow is Purple’ during the Everett Pride Block Party on Saturday, June 21, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I feel safe here’: Community celebrates third-annual Everett Pride

Amid a drizzle of rain, people lined Wetmore Avenue on… Continue reading

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

PUD Manager of Generation Operation and Engineering Scott Spahr talks about the different gages and monitoring on the control panel at the Henry M. Jackson Hydroelectric Project on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County PUD to change its contract with Bonneville this fall

The contract change will enable PUD to supply more reliable and affordable energy, Senior Power Supply Manager Garrison Marr said.

Signs hang on the outside of the Early Learning Center on the Everett Community College campus on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Court docs: Everett Community College decided on ELC closure in March

The college didn’t notify parents or teachers until May that it would close the early education center.

The City of Edmonds police, court and council chambers complex on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds Municipal Court focuses on Blake cases ahead of state funding cuts

Starting July 1, the state will have 80% less funding for refunds and administrative costs involved in vacating felony drug possession cases.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.