28th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Jan. 18
Highlights ‘Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Change’
The City of Tacoma’s signature event, the 28th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, seeks to highlight young men of color as community assets. The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. William Bell, president and chief executive officer of Casey Family Programs. Dr. Bell is also one of the founding partners of Cities United, a national movement focused on eliminating the violence in American cities related to African-American men and boys.
“Often, the narrative around young men of color is one of violence and deficiency,” said City Events and Recognitions Committee Chair Erin Lee. “During this event, we want to challenge that narrative while acknowledging the institutional and structural systems that create barriers to justice for young men of color.”
Also featured as part of the event are music, dance and poetry that highlight the strength, resiliency and creativity of young men of color.
“Performances will focus on Dr. King’s relationship with communities, how he challenged and changed our nation, and his message to honor the dignity and rights of every person,” said City Events and Recognitions Committee Vice Chair Betty Popenuck.
The City Events and Recognitions Committee will honor the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s lota Mu Lambda chapter with the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award. The award recognizes and encourages excellence in community service activities carried out by an individual or a group.
Doors will open at 10 a.m. and the event will start at 11 a.m. in the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center (1500 Broadway). Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items for the MLK Food Drive.
The event is expected to draw roughly 2,000 - 3,000 adults and children. In addition to free holiday on-street parking and free parking at Freighthouse Square (2501 E. D St.), which is easily accessible via LINK light rail from the Convention Center stop located directly in front of the event venue, there will also be signage and personnel directing event attendees to designated complimentary parking stalls that will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event will air on TV Tacoma, which is carried on both the Click! and Comcast Cable systems.
On Click!, TV Tacoma can be seen on Channel 12 within Tacoma City limits and in Pierce County, with the exception of University Place, where TV Tacoma can be found on Channel 21. On Comcast, TV Tacoma can be seen on Channel 12 within Tacoma City limits and on Channel 21 in Pierce County. TV Tacoma is not carried on the Comcast system in University Place, but is accessible anywhere on the Internet.
A youth led, adult supported community conversation – “Flip the Script” – recognizing young men of color as community assets is planned following the event.
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About the City Events and Recognition Committee
The Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration program is spearheaded by a City Council appointed City Events and Recognition Committee comprised of local community leaders from a broad array of backgrounds and areas of expertise.
The City Events and Recognition Committee serves as an advisory and action committee on matters pertaining to City-hosted events and special recognition programs. Members are responsible for planning, reviewing and evaluating events, engaging the community in its fundraising efforts, and soliciting corporate and private sponsorships to leverage funds for City-hosted events such as the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration.