Event Information and Updates

Monique Ming Laven co-anchors KIRO 7 Eyewitness News at 5 and 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. Monique joined KIRO 7 Eyewitness News in June of 2006. She splits her time between anchoring and reporting during the week. As an anchor, she has been on the desk for some of Western Washington’s biggest news stories coverage, for which KIRO 7 has received an Emmy Award and a National Headliner Award for Best Newscast.

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.
 

Social Justice Awards and recognition will be presented in the following areas.

• McKinney Scholar
• Program Award
• Community Hero

Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney, pediatric psychologist, writer, poet, dancer and daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Samuel McKinney, will offer a tribute to her father on what would have been his 100th birthday.

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.

 

This year’s community conversation at 1 p.m. is "From Protest to Action" with special guests civil rights activist elder Eddie Rye and social justice activist Angela Rye.

Eddie Rye Jr. is a lifelong community leader, broadcaster, and civil rights advocate whose work has shaped equity and civic engagement in the Pacific Northwest for more than five decades. A respected voice on social justice, public policy, and community empowerment, he is the longtime host of Urban Forum Northwest on KKNW 1150 AM, where he has amplified underserved voices and advanced critical conversations since 2009. Throughout his career, he has helped build, guide, and strengthen community institutions advancing racial equity, economic opportunity, and civic participation.

Angela Rye is an award-winning host, lawyer, social justice advocate, and Principal/CEO of IMPACT Strategies, where her political advocacy and crisis management firm’s Professional Development Program has supported more than 500 alumni now serving at the highest levels of government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. She is also the co-creator of State of the People, a coalition of 200 local and national organizations providing resources, education, empowerment, and relief to thousands of citizens.

Attendees should park in the South Lot, south of Brockey Center and Olympic Hall. Parking will be free for the day.

• Directions and Maps

This year, shuttle service for students and employees at Seattle Central and North will allow them to more easily join the celebration at South. When you complete the RSVP, you will be asked if you'd like information about the shuttle service. Follow-up information will be sent to your email if you response "yes." 

Attention, Students: Complete and Sign the Release of Liability Form 

All students who plan to use this complimentary shuttle service to and from the MLK Celebration should print and complete the release of liability form. Bring the completed and signed form with you and present it as you board the shuttle bus.

Shuttle Schedule

Morning Departures

• 7:40 a.m. departure from Seattle Central College - shuttle arrives at Central stop (see map) by 7:25 a.m. to load passengers
• 8:30 a.m. departure from North Seattle College - shuttle arrives at North stop (see map) by 8 a.m. to load passengers
• 8:50 a.m. expected arrival at South Seattle College

Afternoon Returns

• 2:30 p.m. departure from South Seattle College for return to Central and North
• 2:50 p.m. expected arrival at Seattle Central College
• 3:40 p.m. expected arrival at North Seattle College 

Departure and arrival stop locations for each campus are listed below with maps.

Shuttle Stop Locations

Shuttle stops will be marked with sandwich boards at each stop on each campus.

North Seattle College

The shuttle stop will be on the east side of College Way North in front of the flagpole outside and west of the Library (near the South Visitor Parking Lot).

Seattle Central College

The shuttle stop will be on the east side of Broadway in front of the Mitchell Activity Center (MAC).

South Seattle College

The shuttle stop will be on the south side of campus in front of the Olympic Building (west side of building).

Public Transportation Bus Routes

Bus routes 128 and 125 stop in front of the Robert Smith Building (RSB). Refer to the campus map. Call METRO (206.553.3000) or check the METRO Trip Planner for bus route schedules and times.

Dear Seattle Colleges Community,

We are excited for you to join us at: 

Seattle Colleges’ 53rd Annual Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
at South Seattle College Brockey Center

Please RSVP by end of the day Monday, January 12 at 5 p.m. to ensure there is enough food and seating for everyone.

Highlights of our 10 a.m. program will include music and song by DaNell Daymon and Greater Works and keynotes by three young local scholars affiliated with Speak with Purpose that explore topics including culture, identity, social justice, and their vision for a better world. Social Justice Awards and recognition will be presented in the following areas: McKinney Scholar, Seattle Colleges Program Award, and Community Hero.

Community Conversation

This year’s community conversation at 1 p.m. is "From Protest to Action" with special guests civil rights activist elder Eddie Rye and social justice activist Angela Rye.

Eddie Rye Jr.  is a lifelong community leader, broadcaster, and civil rights advocate whose work has shaped equity and civic engagement in the Pacific Northwest for more than five decades. A respected voice on social justice, public policy, and community empowerment, he has helped build, guide, and strengthen community institutions advancing racial equity, economic opportunity, and civic participation.

Angela Rye is an award-winning host, lawyer, social justice advocate, and Principal/CEO of IMPACT Strategies, where her political advocacy and crisis management firm has supported more than 500 alumni now serving at the highest levels of government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. She is also the co-creator of State of the People, a coalition of 200 local and national organizations providing resources, education, empowerment, and relief to thousands of citizens.

Shuttle Service Offered from Seattle Central and North Seattle College

New this year, a complimentary shuttle service will be offered for students and employees from Seattle Central and North. When you complete the RSVP, you will be asked if you'd like information about the shuttle service emailed to you. 

Shuttle Schedule, Friday, January 16 

Morning Departures

• 7:40 a.m. departure from Seattle Central College - shuttle arrives at Central stop (see link below for map) by 7:25 a.m. to load passengers
• 8:30 a.m. departure from North Seattle College - shuttle arrives at North stop (see link below for map) by 8 a.m. to load passengers
• 8:50 a.m. expected arrival at South Seattle College
  
  Afternoon Returns
• 2:30 p.m. departure from South Seattle College for return to Central and North
• 2:50 p.m. expected arrival at Seattle Central College
• 3:40 p.m. expected arrival at North Seattle College 

View departure and arrival stop locations for each campus. 

Attention, Students: Complete and Sign the Release of Liability Form

All students who plan to use this complimentary shuttle service to and from the MLK Celebration should print and complete the release of liability form. Bring the completed and signed form with you and present it as you board the shuttle.

MLK Social Justice Week, Jan. 20-23, 2026

The MLK celebration will kick off Seattle Colleges' MLK Jr. Social Justice Week honoring Dr. King's vision for racial and social justice in action. It’s a week of learning, growing, and uplifting our unwavering commitment to social justice within our Seattle Colleges community.

Social Justice Week Highlights

Following are just a few of the events scheduled for Social Justice Week. View the full schedule with all the details.

Tuesday, January 20

• Bystander Intervention Training with Sophia Agtarap, online via Zoom
• Film Screening: "Since I Been Down" with filmmaker Dr. Gilda Sheppard and Kimonti Carter, Brockey Event Space (JMB A&B), South Seattle College

Wednesday, January 21

• Film Screening: "I Am Not Your Negro," online via Zoom, and in person at Seattle Central College, BE1110
• Speaker Chris Crass, Facilitator and Educator on Leadership and Social Impact: Being an Ally for Social Justice, online via Zoom with learning spaces at North, Central, and South
• Speaker Lian Ryan-Hume (Najami): Women’s Empowerment, Disabilities, Social Inclusion, online via Zoom

Thursday, January 22

• How We Respond to ICE Officials on our Campus: Immigration Rights and Non-Discrimination Plan (IRND-Plan) and Keep Washington Working Act (KWWA) with Associate Vice Chancellor D'Andre Fisher, online via Zoom
• Film Screening: "Fish War" with special guest Willie Frank III, Seattle Central College, Room BE1110
• Roundtable Discussion on Black Male Students Success with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., North Star Dining Room, North Seattle College

Friday, January 23

• Luncheon and State of Equity, Georgetown Campus
• Student Life & Social Justice: Becoming Civically Engaged as a Seattle Colleges Student, Seattle Central College, BE1110

We hope you’ll take part in many of these events, and we are looking forward to seeing you on Friday, January 16, to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

MLK and Social Justice Week Planning Teams 
 

Dear Seattle Colleges Community, 
 

Please mark your calendars and RSVP to join us for: 

Seattle Colleges’ 53rd Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. 
“Still We Rise” - Maya Angelou 
Friday, January 16, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
South Seattle College Brockey Center 
seattlecolleges.edu/mlk • event promotion video 

Program Highlights

Music and Song: DaNell Daymon and Greater Works

DaNell Daymon and Greater Works, a contemporary gospel choir whose members come from Seattle and other cities across the U.S., will return for another captivating performance. The group's chief vocal director, DaNell Daymon, is a multi-talented Gospel Music artist who resides in the Pacific Northwest.

Keynote Speakers

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 (below, left), Mercer Middle School 7th Grader
• Shea Lawson (below, center), Washington Middle School 7th grader
• Sam Pederson-Spaulding (below, right), Franklin High School 10th Grader

Emcee: KIRO-7 Evening Anchor, Monique Ming Laven

Monique Ming Laven co-anchors KIRO 7 Eyewitness News at 5 and 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. She joined KIRO 7 in 2006.
 

A Kickoff to Social Justice Week

The celebration will kick off Seattle Colleges’ Social Justice Week (January 16-23), honoring Dr. King's vision for racial and social justice in action. It’s a week of learning, growing, and uplifting our unwavering commitment to social justice within our Seattle Colleges community.

RSVP for the 53rd Annual MLK Celebration

 If you plan to attend this year’s celebration, RSVP by Wednesday, January 7, at 5 p.m. to ensure there is enough food and seating for everyone.

We look forward to receiving your RSVP and seeing you in January.
--MLK Planning Committee

Seattle Colleges Colleagues,

We invite you to save the date for our 53rd Annual Community Celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our celebration will take place on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at South Seattle College’s Brockey Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. following this schedule:

• 9 to 10 a.m. - Breakfast
• 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Program
• 1 to 2 p.m. - Community Conversation

Additional program details will be provided soon. This event will kick off Seattle Colleges Third Annual Social Justice Week (January 16-23), a series of 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