Event Information and Updates
Seattle Colleges Presents
51st Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024
Brockey Center, South Seattle College
If you plan to attend this year’s celebration, please RSVP by Thursday, January 4 at 5 p.m. to ensure there is enough food and seating for everyone.
The current weather forecast for Jan. 12 calls for cold temperatures and possible snow. We recommend arriving early in case of weather-related delays. We will make an announcement on Thursday before 5 p.m. if this program must be rescheduled due to winter weather.
Get a sense of the energy of the day from the short behind-the-scenes video below.
Schedule
| 9:30 a.m. | Hot Breakfast and Networking | Brockey Center |
| 10:30 a.m. | Annual MLK Celebration Program Begins | Brockey Center |
| 12:30 p.m. | Program Concludes | Brockey Center |
| 1 p.m. | Community Conversation hosted by EDIC | Olympic Hall Theater |
| 2 p.m. | Community Conversation Concludes and Celebration Event Adjourns | Olympic Hall Theater |
Program Highlights
Emcee: Deedee Sun, Reporter and Weekend Anchor for KIRO 7 TV
Deedee Sun is a two-time Emmy Award winning reporter and weekend anchor for KIRO 7. She has resided in the Seattle area for over six years. Hailing from Decatur, Illinois, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University. Prior to joining KIRO 7, she worked as a reporter and anchor in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Kansas.
Prayer and Blessing: Rev. Dr. Paris Lee Smith Sr., Senior Pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Smith, Sr., is a servant of God and a transformational leader as well as a pastor, visionary, liberation theologian, logistic ministry leader, community supporter, humanitarian, author, lecturer, adjunct professor, educator, and Black church advocate. Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Theology from the Tennessee School of Religion in Memphis, Tennessee; a Master of Divinity from The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia; and a Doctor of Ministry as a Curtis-Stewart Fellow at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and is a Ph.D. student of Biblical Preaching at Anderson University, South Carolina.
Keynote Address: Harold Scoggins, Chief of the Seattle Fire Department
Chief Scoggins started his career as a member of the United States Air Force, where he served as a firefighter. In 1989, he joined the Glendale Fire Department, where he advanced through the ranks serving as Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, and Battalion Chief and in 2008, was named Fire Chief. Scoggins became the Chief of the Seattle Fire Department in April 2015 and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State University Long Beach, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State University Los Angeles, and an Associate of Science degree in Fire Technology from Glendale Community College.
Music and Song: DaNell Daymon and Greater Works
DaNell Daymon & Greater Works is a contemporary gospel choir whose members come from Seattle and other cities across the U.S. The group's chief vocal director, DaNell Daymon, is a multi-talented Gospel Music artist who resides in the Pacific Northwest. The group appeared on Season 12 of NBC TV's America's Got Talent in the spring and summer of 2017, advancing as far as the semifinals.
Breakfast Menu
Hot breakfast will be served from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and will include assorted pastries, bacon and sausage, breakfast potatoes, pancakes, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, assorted juices, and water.
Parking
Attendees should park in the South Lot, south of Brockey Center and Olympic Hall. Parking will be free for the day.
MLK Social Justice Week, Jan. 16-19, 2024
We also honor Dr. King's vision for racial and social justice with Seattle Colleges' MLK Jr. Social Justice Week January 16-19 and beyond. Hosted by the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community, this is a week of learning, growing, and uplifting our unwavering commitment to social justice within our Seattle Colleges community. You are cordially invited to join us for a series of events at our colleges.
Scheduled speakers include (top row, left to right) Rosa Clemente, Michael Benitez Jr., Linda Sarsour, (bottom row, left to right) Mary Kunmi Yu Danico, David Basior, and Dr. Bettina Love.
Message Archive
Dear Campus Community,
Please join us and RSVP for the 51st Annual MLK Celebration.
Seattle Colleges’ 51st Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
South Seattle College Brockey Center
If you plan to attend, RSVP by end of the day Thursday, January 4 at 5 p.m. to ensure there is enough food and seating for everyone.
This year’s program will feature a keynote address from Harold Scoggins, Chief of the Seattle Fire Department, music and song by DaNell Daymon and Greater Works gospel choir, remarks from Chancellor Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, and presentations for the Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney Scholarship and Social Justice Awards from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community.
Deedee Sun, two-time Emmy-award winning reporter and weekend anchor for KIRO 7, will emcee our event, and Rev. Dr. Paris Lee Smith Sr. from Mount Zion Church will give a prayer and blessing.
Schedule
9:30 a.m. - Hot Breakfast and Networking
10:30 a.m. - Annual Community Celebration Begins in Brockey Center
12:30 p.m. - Annual Celebration Concludes in Brockey Center
1 p.m. - Community Conversation with D’Andre Fisher and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins in Olympic Hall Theater
2 p.m. - Community Conversation Concludes in Olympic Hall Theater
A Kickoff to Social Justice Week
Our January 12 celebration will kick off Seattle Colleges’ second annual Social Justice Week (January 16-19), a series of daily events and activities hosted by the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community with the aim of uplifting the community and highlighting Dr. King’s legacy.
Parking at South Seattle College
Free parking is available in the South Lot, south of Brockey Center and Olympic Hall.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
MLK Planning Committee
Sent to students, faculty, and staff on Thurs., Dec. 14, 2023
Dear Campus Community,
Please mark your calendars and RSVP to join us for:
Seattle Colleges’ 51st Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
South Seattle College Brockey Center
Fire Chief Harold Scoggins is the Keynote
We are pleased to announce this year’s keynote speaker is a longtime event supporter and friend of Seattle Colleges, Harold Scoggins, Chief of the Seattle Fire Department. Music from award-winning gospel choir DaNell Daymon and Greater Works will be back again.
A Kickoff to Social Justice Week
The celebration will kick off Seattle Colleges’ second annual Social Justice Week (January 16-19), a series of daily events and activities uplifting the community and highlighting Dr. King’s legacy. It is a time to reflect on Dr. King’s groundbreaking work during the civil rights movement, it is also a time to educate and empower ourselves as individuals and as a community in the work that has been done and in the work that lies ahead. To become educated, enlightened, and empowered.
We invite you to participate in this uplifting start to the week’s activities centered on Seattle Colleges’ social justice mission by watching this behind-the-scenes video from Seattle Colleges’ 50th Annual MLK Celebration.
RSVP for the 51st Annual MLK Celebration
If you plan to attend this year’s celebration, RSVP by Tuesday, January 2 at 5 p.m. to ensure there is enough food and seating for everyone.
More About Keynote Speaker, Chief Harold Scoggins
Chief Scoggins started his career as a member of the United States Air Force, where he served as a firefighter. In 1989, he joined the Glendale Fire Department, where he advanced through the ranks serving as Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, and Battalion Chief and in 2008, was named Fire Chief. Scoggins became the Chief of the Seattle Fire Department in April 2015 and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State University Long Beach, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State University Los Angeles, and an Associate of Science degree in Fire Technology from Glendale Community College.
We look forward to receiving your RSVP and seeing you in January.
MLK Planning Committee
Sent to students, faculty, and staff on Wed., Nov. 1, 2023
Dear Campus Community,
We invite you to save the date for Seattle Colleges’ 51st Annual Celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our annual celebration will take place on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at South Seattle College’s Brockey Center from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This celebration event will kick off Seattle Colleges’ second annual Social Justice Week (January 16-19), a series of daily events and activities uplifting the community and highlighting Dr. King’s legacy.
Mark your calendar and plan to join us for a day of celebration.
MLK Planning Committee