King Day 2025
NAAM’s annual King Day celebration returns to honor the life, legacy, and sacrifice of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 20, 2025 from 10AM - 5PM at the Northwest African American Museum. Our theme for King Day and throughout 2025 is “Forward Together!” a response to his book “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” and his 1967 speech “Where Do We Go From Here?”
Forward Together is both a call to action and a promise to the community that NAAM will remain dedicated to serving as the cornerstone of meaningful community engagement.
Join us at NAAM for this incredible family-friendly event that will feature two new exhibitions, a resource expo, community conversations, family activities, storytelling, book giveaways, and more! NAAM will partner with over 20 organizations whose inspiring efforts and dedication to their mission are advancing the local landscape.
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Black Heritage Society
Black Heritage Society is Preserving, collecting and sharing the history of African Americans in Washington State.
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City of Seattle Civil Rights Office
The Office for Civil Rights works to advance civil rights by enforcing laws against illegal discrimination in employment, housing, and contracting .
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Hamlin Robinson
Hamlin Robinson School ignites the academic and creative potential of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
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King County Public Health / Black Providers Network
The King County Black Providers Network is a convening of Black professionals working to support Black community health.
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Seattle Girls School
Seattle Girls School develops and inspires courageous leaders who think independently, work collaboratively, and champion change.
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Sistah Scifi
Sistah Scifi is the first Black owned bookstore focused on Science Fiction and Fantasy in the United States.
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Speak with Purpose
Speak with Purpose ‘s mission is provide public speaking that empowers youth to boldly speak their truth.
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WA Therapy Fund
WA Therapy Fund empowers people of color through mental health education and radical self-care.
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Casa Latina
Casa Latina advances the power and well-being of Latino immigrants through employment, education, and community organizing.
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Black Genealogy Research Group
The Black Genealogy Research Group helps individuals address the challenges of conducting African American Family History research.
“I want to say to you as I move to my conclusion, as we talk about “Where do we go from here?” that we must honestly face the fact that the movement must address itself to the question of restructuring the whole of American society.”
~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1967
Dr. King’s "Where do we go from here?" Speech
In August 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the 11th Annual Student Christian Leadership Congress (SCLC) in Atlanta, Georgia before over 100 Black leaders.
In his address, he asked the question, “Where Do we Go From Here?”. He eloquently talked about the major accomplishments and tasks ahead for SCLC. Dr. King urged Black leaders to organize and register voters in order to elect individuals who would address Black Americans’ social, political and economic issues.
Within a year Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be assassinated while protesting for universal living wages on behalf of Memphis sanitation workers.
Interactive Story Time
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Bryan Collier. The children's book brings to life the story of one of the most influential civil rights leaders of all time, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Knowledge is Power: Children's Book Giveaway
NAAM has curated books that teach all children the rich history of Black Americans.
On King Day, we will give away hundreds of new books to local youth. We will continue to distribute free books each month throughout the region. In honor of Dr. King, please consider a monetary donation to the Book Fund and help advance racial equity.
Dr. King & Rev. McKinney
The King and McKinney families had a relationship that began in the late 1800s. Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were childhood friends who were in the same freshman class at Morehouse College. This video tells that story.
Thank you to Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney, daughter of Rev. McKinney, for providing this poignant story on Dr. King’s 93rd birthday.
Larry Gossett Reflects on Dr. King’s Visit to Seattle
In 1961, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his first and only visit to Seattle. Former King County Councilman Larry Gossett reflects on that visit and the reverberating effect Dr. King’s speeches had on the community.
