Skip to main content

2008 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Celebration

2008 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Celebration

2008 King County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Celebration

The Beloved Community

21st Annual Celebration

2008_mlk_music

King County held its 21st Annual King County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, during the noon hour on Thursday, January 17, 2008. Over 600 people attended this event at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Seattle.

This celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King had as its theme "The Beloved Community," a concept at the heart of Dr. King's religious, political and social philosophy. Event Host Vivian Phillips, a leader in the regional arts community who was instrumental in guiding the design team on the new county logo bearing Dr. King's likeness, wove information about the theme throughout the program.

The celebration also included the annual presentation of the Humanitarian Awards to employees and recognition of the best eighth grade essay about Dr. King and the event theme.

Entertainment

The Celebration was packed with musical entertainment by renowned artists, beginning with a performance from Seattle KokonTaiko, combining ancient Taiko drumming infused with an American identity to make a uniquely Japanese-American art form. Vocalists of the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church performed traditional and contemporary gospel songs under musical and vocal director Jacquie Hardy. Warren Chang, noted local erhu musician and leader of Chinese music ensembles, was accompanied by master Buyun Zhao on the yang-qin, playing haunting melodies on their unusual and beautiful instruments. Correo Aereo (Air Mail) performed traditional and original music of Latin America, on an impressive array of string and percussive instruments combined with vocal harmonies. Wan Poo Chao from northern Laos, a traditional singer, composed and sang a song in honor of Dr. King in a style meant to be heard over long distances and rarely heard outside the lu Mienh community.

2008 King County Humanitarian Awards: Dr. Charissa Fotinos and Makeda Ebube2008_mlk_officials
Left to Right Front Row: Councilmember Dow Constantine, Dr. Charissa Fotinos, Makeda Ebube, Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg, Judge Greg Canova. Middle Row: Executive Ron Sims, Judge Barbara Linde, Assessor Scott Noble. Back Row: Chief Robin Fenton, Chief Greg Dymerski, Chief Scott Somers, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Bonnie Glenn.

King County Councilmembers Larry Gossett and Dow Constantine presented one of two King County Humanitarian Awards to Dr. Charissa Fotinos, Medical Director for Community Health Services in the Department of Public Health. Dr. Fotinos volunteers in the medical clinic for Tent City, and maintains a strong focus on underserved populations in her work.

Makeda Ebube from the King County Department of Assessments received the other Humanitarian Award from Councilmember Constantine and King County Assessor Scott Noble. Ms. Ebube is a talented performer and teacher of African dance who is involved in numerous community volunteer activities that demonstrate her commitment to the vision of Dr. King.

2008 Student Essay Contest Winners: Carli Pogson, Patricia Flores and Audre Bennett2008_mlk_winners
Audree Bennett (3rd), Patricia Flores Perez (2nd), Carli Pogson (1st)

One highlight of the annual Celebration is the presentation of awards in the Essay Writing Contest sponsored by the King County Civil Rights Commission. This contest for 8th graders asks them to reflect on the Celebration theme. Carli Pogson of Cedar Heights Middle School, Covington, won First Prize ($100); Second and Third Prizes ($75 and $50) went to Patricia Flores Perez and Audre Bennett, both of Lake Washington Girls Middle School, Seattle. Copies of the winning essays are available on the Commission's web site at: http://www.metrokc.gov/dias/crc/essaywinners.htm

If you have questions or feedback about the 2008 Celebration or if you need this information in large print, Braille, or audio cassette, please contact Bailey deIongh by phone at 206-296-7652, by TTY at 206-296-7596 or by e-mail at bailey.deiongh@kingcounty.gov.


Take a look at last year's exciting 20th Anniversary Celebration:

If you need this information in alternate formats, please contact Bailey deIongh at 206-296-7652 or 206-296-7596 V/TTY. All other questions should be directed to Eric Jensen, Awards Committee, at 206-263-9093. Thank you for your participation! As we celebrate the life and vision of Dr. King, we also celebrate the diversity that makes this region such a great place to live and work.

Top of page
expand_less