January 16, 2019 The Skanner Portland & Seattle Page 17
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Events cont’d from pg 16
Attalah Shabazz, Eldest Daughter
of Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz,
to Speak at Vancouver Avenue First
Baptist Church
On Jan. 19 and 20 Portland’s historic Vancouver Av-
enue First Baptist Church and its vibrant community
will host the annual Drum Major Celebration.
This two-day commemoration consists of the Salute
to Greatness awards and scholarship luncheon, held
on Jan. 19 from 12 to 2 p.m. at New Song Communi-
ty Church Fellowship Hall on the corner of NE MLK
Blvd. & NE Russell St.
Mr. Lakayana Drury, Social Studies teacher at Rose-
mary Anderson (POIC) High School and Executive
Director of “Word is Bond” will deliver the keynote
address. The following community leaders will be
recognized: The Rev. W. Mark Knutson, Augustana
Lutheran Church; Andrew & Hermann Colas, Colas
Construction; Michael R. Booker, Sr., The Miracles
Recovery Club; Musician & Artist Michael Allen
Harrison; Sam Sachs & Noho Marchesi of Breaking
Bread/Breaking Barriers; the Native American
Youth & Family Center (NAYA); and Educator & Com-
munity Activist Mrs. Joyce Harris. The following se-
nior high school students will be honored and receive
scholarships: DeLaSalle North Catholic: Ganiyat
(Gigi) Karimu; Helensview: Elijah Hudson; Jefferson:
Sarah Steele; Rosemary Anderson (POIC): Kenneth
Kimmons; Roosevelt: Tosha Kitungano; and Second
Home: Gavin Fortner.
On Jan. 20 at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist
Church, 3138 N. Vancouver Avenue in Portland from
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Ambassador Attalah Shabazz, eldest
daughter of the late Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz;
at-large life-time Ambassador for Peace appointed by
the prime minister of Belize will be making her first
Portland appearance as the keynote speaker and the
theme is: “Now is the Time!”
Mayor Ted Wheeler and other public officials will
give greetings as will inter-faith leaders and the Pa-
cific Youth Choir under the direction of Mia Hall will
render music.
Vancouver Avenue is one of Portland’s historic ven-
ues and the only church in Oregon where Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. addressed the “Beloved Communi-
ty” in November 1961 as part of his trip to the Pacific
Northwest during the Civil Rights Movement. The
public is encouraged to attend both programs and
donations of $25 per event is encouraged or $45 for
both.
All donation proceeds go to the Drum Major Schol-
arship Fund to support future awards. To secure a
ticket contact the Church directly at 3138 N. Vancou-
ver Avenue, Tuesday-Friday 1-6 p.m.; by calling (503)
282-9496, www.vafbcpdx.org, or at the door on the
day of the event. No one will be turned away for lack
of funds.
John Carlos to Speak at MLK
Celebrations in Bellevue
John Carlos, a track star who raised his fist for hu-
man rights after winning a medal at the 1968 Olym-
pics, will deliver an address on Jan. 17. On MLK Day
itself (Monday, Jan. 21), the city will have a tree plant-
ing at Eastgate Park and a celebration at Crossroads
Bellevue.
Carlos, who became a symbol for the civil rights
struggle, will deliver the keynote at City Hall, 450
110th Ave. NE, from 12:30-2 p.m. Carlos will challenge
listeners to critically reflect on individual and collec-
tive roles in building the “beloved community” envi-
sioned by the Rev. King. This event includes real-time
captioning. Seating is limited. To reserve a spot for
the City Hall celebration, please register.
The tree-planting will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the park,
14509 SE Newport Way. Gloves, tools, hot drinks,
water and snacks will be provided. To sign up, go to
EarthCorps.org and click on “Volunteer Calendar.”
The Crossroads event, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., will feature
guest speakers, live music and a community health
fair. For additional information or special accommo-
dations, contact Yuriana Garcia Tellez (425-452-7886
or ygarcia@BellevueWA.gov).
These events are wheelchair-accessible. Caption-
ing, American Sign Language or language inter-
preters are available upon request. Please call 425-
452-7886 at least 48 hours in advance to request an
accommodation. If you are deaf or hard of hearing,
dial 711. Assisted listening devices are also available
upon request.
For more information, visit https://www.bellevue-
wa.gov/city-news/mlk-celebrations-19.
Youth to Lead Annual Seattle MLK
March on Jan. 19
Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the public to
join a youth-organized march to honor Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 19. Participants will gather at
10:30 a.m. at Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th
Ave. S, 98118. Teens will lead the march to Martin Lu-
ther King, Jr. Civil Rights Memorial Park, 2200 Mar-
tin Luther King, Jr. Way.
Teens, families and community members from
throughout the city will speak out against injustice
See EVENTS on page 18