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edition
CAREERS special
April 18, 2018
King School Legacy Celebration
Former students of Martin Luther King Jr. School attend Friday’s 50th anniversary
celebration honoring the legacy of the northeast Portland being named in honor of
the civil rights leader. Formerly called Highland School, the name was changed on
April 24, 1968 just 20 days after King’s assassination in Memphis, Tenn.
West African dance is performed by students from Martin Luther King Jr.
Elementary School during a “Celebrate the Legacy” event honoring the tenants of
social justice and equality.
The student drill team at Martin Luther King Jr. School performs at Friday’s celebra-
tion honoring the 50 years of legacy since the school was named in honor of King.
Martin Luther King Jr. School Principal Jill Sage at the 50th anniversary celebration
of the school’s renaming.
50 Years of History
C ontinued froM P age 3
Portland School Board to change the
name from Highland School to Martin
Luther King Jr. School just 20 days after
King’s assassination. It’s thought to be
one of the first, if not the first, school to
be named after King.
School alumni who served on a coun-
cil that sent the resolution to the school
board attended the celebration and spoke
about their hard fought struggle which
was hotly debated at the time. Some of
those students now have grand children
attending the culturally diverse school
on 4906 N.E. Sixth Avenue in the heart
of Portland’s historic African American
community.
The school was predominately black
in 1968 and King’s widow, Coretta Scott
King, gave her personal permission to
use to his name.
A historic temporary sign, in blue let-
tering and painted on butcher paper by
students, that was hung in front of the
school in 1968 on the first day of its re-
naming, resurfaced for the celebration,
which also included live gospel and jazz
music, students performing West African
and drill team dances, and a soul food
supper.
King School Principal Jill Sage said
the celebration was a reminder of the
power from student-led conversations
and mirrors some of the actions by stu-
dents today who are continuing to lead
important conversations on issues of ba-
sic rights to this day.
“The legacy of student action in re-
sponse to this terrible tragedy speaks to
the hope and resilience to this communi-
ty,” Sage said.
Yolanda Coleman, assistant principal at Martin Luther King School and Lisa Jarrett,
a King Museum of Contemporary Art and Portland State University professor, raise
a 50 year old poster that was used to rename the school 50 years ago.
P hotos by P ortland o bserver P ublisher M ark W ashington . d igital CoPies are available by request . e Mail MarkW @ Portlandobserver . CoM