“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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We are so grateful for your support and attendance of the MLK60 commemoration. The events of the historic weekend were full of community, connection, and service in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1961 visit to Seattle. Sixty years after his visit, Dr. King's remarkable legacy continues to inspire us and bring our community together.

Watch a Replay of the the Keynote Program Live-Stream

Download the Keepsake Program Booklet

Download the NAAM-Curated MLK60 Reading List

Watch NAAM's Interactive Storytime Featuring Mr. King's Children's Book

King County Executive Dow Constantine proclaimed November 6 - 13 to be MLK60 week and encouraged all residents to recognize this week and commit themselves to continuing the work of Dr. King.

View the proclamation.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

MLK60 In the News

KIRO 7 | VIDEO: Celebration commemorates Dr. King's only visit to Seattle

KIRO 7 | Son of civil rights icon says congressional filibuster ‘must go’

KIRO 7 | Martin Luther King III says mother taught him to be ‘best self’

Seattle Medium | Martin Luther King III Speaks At University Of Washington As Part Of Northwest African American Museum’s MLK60 Commemoration

South Seattle Emerald | Photo Essay: MLK60, Honoring the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

South Seattle Emerald | Enduring Lessons of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 60th Anniversary of Seattle Visit

Dr. King’s 1961 visit to Seattle changed our city. 60 years later, let’s gather to learn how and to answer the question Dr. King asked: “What are you doing for others?”

A Call to Action: Honoring Dr. King's Legacy of Service

Saturday, November 6
Opening Ceremony
Hygiene for Humanity Supplies Drive
Garfield High School Commons
10 AM - 12PM
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The opening ceremony was held at the Garfield High School Commons, one of the sites at which Dr. King visited and spoke exactly 60 years ago. The ceremony included a Hygiene for Humanity Supply Drive, a children’s book giveaway, and Smile Patrol photo booth. In the spirit of public health and uplifting our community, NAAM partnered with King County Public Health to provide $50 gift cards for those who received a COVID vaccine and boosters at the event.
VIEW LIST OF NEEDED HYGIENE SUPPLIES
A Call to Inclusion: Honoring Dr. King's Legacy of Spiritual Leadership

Sunday, November 7
Prayer Vigil for our Regional Community
In the rear parking lot of Mt Zion Baptist Church
2PM - 3PM
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In homage to Dr. King’s legacy of spiritual leadership, on day 2 of the commemoration, we honored the 60th anniversary of his visit to Seattle with a community prayer vigil featuring local clergy. An auditory history from longtime community members immersed audiences in the historic Seattle sites Dr. King visited in 1961, such as R&L Home of Good Barbecue, Plymouth Church, and Temple de Hirsch Sinai. The event also featured beautiful performances from NAAM’s African American Cultural Ensemble (ACE)—the first African American choir organized and permanently hosted by an African American museum.
A Call to Empowerment: Honoring Dr. King's Legacy Through His Son

Monday, November 8
Keynote Program with Martin Luther King, III
University of Washington & Live-Streamed Online
6PM - 8P
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NAAM was deeply honored to host Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s eldest son, Martin Luther King, III, during the final commemorative event of the 60th Anniversary of Dr. King’s historic visit to Seattle at the University of Washington, the same campus at which Dr. King spoke 60 years ago. Mr. King’s keynote conversation was moderated by Eddie Rye Jr., a Seattle-area journalist and leading voice in honoring Dr. King for the last 40 years in King County. Emceed by KIRO 7 journalist Deborah Horne, this event also featured musical performances of Dr. King’s favorite songs, an Elders Circle video tribute, and remarks from regional community leaders.

COVID SAFETY

We care about your safety! In accordance with Washington State Department of Health guidelines, masks are required at all times. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours is required for entry into indoor events.

This is historic.

On November 8, 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968), the great civil rights leader, came to Seattle for his only visit. He was invited by the Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, then a young pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Seattle's Central District, who had been a classmate of Dr. King's at Morehouse College and an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brother.

While in Seattle, Dr. King spoke at numerous sites, including Garfield High School, Temple de Hirsch Sinai, Eagles Auditorium (now ACT Theater), University of Washington Meany Auditorium, and Plymouth Church. He lodged at Seattle's Fairmont Olympic Hotel and he dined in the Central District's Home of Good Barbeque restaurant.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of that visit and a local planning committee has arranged for Dr. King's eldest son, Martin Luther King III, to visit Seattle culminating with a program on November 8, 2021. In addition, there will be many other activities over three days leading up to the commemoration date.

With the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, the murder of George Floyd and other precious Black lives, and greater awareness of continuing injustices to humanity, the significance of Dr. King's message and the impact he made all those decades ago are as relevant now as ever before.

About the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1961 Visit

The invite.

Rev. Samuel B. McKinney invited Dr. King to be part of a lecture series in November 1961 sponsored by Seattle's Mount Zion Baptist Church. Rev. McKinney, pastor of the church, was a friend and classmate of King at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Arrangements were made for Dr. King to speak at First Presbyterian Church because Mount Zion would not be large enough to handle the numbers expected. First Presbyterian Church canceled the oral agreement to rent the sanctuary to Mount Zion just weeks before King’s scheduled arrival. Rev. McKinney attributed it to racism. Other venues around the city were offered instead.
The visit.

While in Seattle, Dr. King spoke at numerous sites, including Garfield High School, Temple de Hirsch Sinai, Eagles Auditorium (now ACT Theater), University of Washington Meany Auditorium, and attended a reception in his honor at Plymouth Church. He lodged at Seattle's Fairmont Olympic Hotel and he dined in the Central District's Home of Good Barbeque restaurant. Pictured above, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. talks to reporters in Seattle on. Nov. 9, 1961. (Larry Dion/The Seattle Times)
The impact.

Dr. King spoke at the University of Washington in the former Meany Hall before 2,000 students on “Segregation and the Civil Liberties: Implications for Students." He received a standing ovation. At Garfield High School attendance was so full, Dr. King gave speeches at two separate assemblies. Rev. McKinney believed the remarks Dr. King gave to be an early version of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The impact of Dr. King's visit and his speeches reverberated throughout the community at a crucial point during the civil rights movement.

You are a part of it.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most inspirational affirmation was hope for a better tomorrow and a brighter future for everyone. It was that hope that mobilized the Civil Rights Movement, and it is that very same hope that continues to shape efforts today to create Dr. King’s vision for a more equitable society.

Hear a keynote address by Dr. King’s eldest son, Mr. Martin Luther King, III delivered from the very same stage of his father’s 1961 speech to the Pacific Northwest.

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