The City of Bellingham’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. event will celebrate “Mothers of the Movement” this year with a program centered on the role of women and women of color in the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle of women of color in the modern world, and how the harmonious ring of Dr. King’s dream for racial equity and equality can still be felt and fulfilled today. The celebration takes place at noon on Monday, January 21, 2019 at the Mount Baker Theatre.

The event will be emceed by Kim Harris, a professional cultural, bias-awareness, and diversity trainer, and will feature performances by Thunderbirds Raised Her (the Jefferson Sisters), who were awarded the American Indian Film Festival 2018 Best Music Video; Bellingham’s long standing Kulshan Chorus, directed by Dustin Willetts; and Bellingham Repertory Dance Company, a contemporary dance collective. A blessing will be given by Lummi Nation Elder Juanita Jefferson and welcoming words by Mayor Kelli Linville. Speakers include President of Black Lives Matter Bellingham Jazzmyn Hannah, Vista Middle School 8th grade student Eleanor May, poet Fialaui’a Lamositele, and Civil Rights activist Dr. Kathryn Fentress, who was arrested alongside Dr. King during the St. Augustine demonstrations.

“What a gift to have this amazing group of women in one place to honor the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. and inspire us all as we move forward in 2019 to promote equity and equality in our community,” City Council member April Barker said.

The event is co-sponsored by the City of Bellingham and the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education. Please bring a donation for the Bellingham Food Bank to this free and non-ticketed event. The event will be aired on BTV at a later date.

Illustration by Bradley Lockhart.