Event Information and Updates
Seattle Colleges Presents
53nd Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Brockey Center, South Seattle College
Save the Date and Plan to Gather With Us
We are currently finalizing plans our our 53rd annual program. We hope you'll join us in celebrating the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and kicking off Seattle Colleges Social Justice Week.
2026 Event Schedule
| Time | Speaker or Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | Hot Breakfast and Networking | Brockey Center |
| 10 a.m. | Annual MLK Celebration Program Begins | Brockey Center |
| 12:30 p.m. | Program Concludes | Brockey Center |
| 1 p.m. | Community Conversation hosted by D'Andre Fisher | Brockey Center |
| 2 p.m. | Community Conversation Concludes and Celebration Event Adjourns | Brockey Center |
Program Highlights
Emcee:
Prayer and Blessing:
Keynote:
Three young local scholars affiliated with Speak with Purpose will share their original speeches that explore topics including culture, identity, social justice, and their vision for a better world.
Camden Clayton, Mercer Middle School 7th Grader
Camden Clayton is a two-time finalist in the Rising Voices Oratory Showcase, earning both first and third place. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he loves soccer, family and reading. Camden aspires to become a professional soccer player and an astronomer, and he uses his voice to advocate for justice and equity.
Shea Lawson, Washington Middle School 7th grader
Shea Lawson is a proud recent graduate of Thurgood Marshall Elementary and has begun an exciting new chapter as a 7th grader. She loves spending time with her family, listening to music, watching soccer, and enjoying theater performances. Passionate about learning and inspiring others, Shea aspires to become a preschool teacher and shape young minds with care and creativity.
Sam Pederson-Spaulding, Franklin High School 10th Grader
Sam Pederson-Spaulding is a 16-year-old student with a deep passion for art and acting. With several years of public speaking experience, Sam has discovered a love for connecting with audiences and using his voice to inspire and engage.
Music and Song: DaNell Daymon and Greater Works
DaNell Daymon and 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 to 10 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. 16-23, 2026
We also honor Dr. King's vision for racial and social justice with Seattle Colleges' MLK Jr. Social Justice Week January 16-23 and beyond. Hosted by the Division of Access, Community, and Opportunity, 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.
We are currently finalizing the events and will announce the lineup soon.
Message Archive
Dear Campus Community,
Happy New Year. Reminder to please RSVP to join us for:
Seattle Colleges’ 52nd Annual Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
South Seattle College Brockey Center
Kindly RSVP by end of the day Friday, January 10 at 5 p.m. to ensure there is enough food and seating for everyone.
This year’s program will feature a keynote address from writer and educator Tim Wise. Music from award-winning gospel choir DaNell Daymon and Greater Works will be back again for their 20th performance. Deedee Sun, two-time Emmy-award winning reporter and morning anchor for KIRO 7, will emcee our event, and Rev. Dr. Phyllis Beaumonte 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 Tim Wise in Brockey Center
2 p.m. - Community Conversation Concludes in Brockey Center
A Kickoff to Social Justice Week
The celebration will kick off Seattle Colleges’ third annual Social Justice Week (Jan. 17-24), a series of daily events and activities uplifting the community and highlighting Dr. King’s legacy. For more information and to view the full Social Justice Week calendar of events, visit our website.
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
Dear Campus Community,
We invite you to save the date for Seattle Colleges’ 52nd Annual Celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our annual celebration will take place on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 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 17-24), 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
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