The 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration in Tacoma will once again bring the community together to celebrate Monday, January 15, 2018 as a day on, not a day off. [cid:image001.jpg@01D38957.F4406FA0] The featured keynote speaker will be Nate Bowling, 2014 recipient of the Milken Family Foundation's National Educator Award, the 2016 Washington State Teacher of the Year, and currently teaches advanced placement courses at Lincoln High School in Tacoma. The 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award recipient is Dr. Dexter Gordon, director of the Race & Pedagogy Institute at the University of Puget Sound. Dr. Gordon is a published author, professor and community advocate for social change. He demonstrates exemplary leadership that embodies the values of equity and inclusion and, for many years, has promoted and advocated for a campus environment and city that embraces racial and cultural differences. "The committee is thrilled to present the service award to Dr. Dexter Gordon," said Events and Recognition Committee Chair Erin Lee. "A former student of his said that taking his class was a life-changing experience. That testimonial and all of the other community comments about Dr. Gordon convinced us he truly embodies this year's theme, 'Be the Change.'" Performances include Meeker Middle School mass choir, band and orchestra; Grant Troubadours and Dance Company, SOTA's Leasia McKnight singing her own composition, Stephanie Anne Johnson singing our Nation's anthems, and Kellie Richardson, Tacoma's Poet Laureate. The Children's Museum is partnering with us this year to present a Family Fun Center with art, books, and fun activities to help kids learn more about Dr. King and his legacy. Hope to see you there.