20th Annual MLK Jr. Day Event – Keeping the Dream Alive!

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Community Food Co-op will host its 20th annual MLK Jr. Day event – Keeping the Dream Alive! On this evening, we will celebrate Dr. King’s notion of a “Beloved Community,” envisioned as a society based on justice, equal opportunity and love of one’s fellow human beings.

The event opens with music and two brief presentations, and concludes with a community open mic.

Opening the event will be special musical guest Checo Tohomaso, followed by two brief presentations and a community open mic.

Checo Tohomaso’s musical journey began in early childhood where his first performances were as a church choir member. The son of an African-American Christian mother and Peruvian/African-American Jewish father, Checo grew up surrounded by different styles of ethnic music. Checo’s current focus is to communicate the positive, healing qualities of soul music to as many people as possible. He previously played keyboards, percussion and sang background vocals for the last European tour of Motown legend Marvin Gaye. Checo will be our musical guest throughout the evening.

The first presentation will be “Healing Must Start with Actions” by Vernon Damani Johnson, director of the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education, professor of political science at Western Washington University and co-founder of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force.

Our second presenter will be Amanda Grelock, Community Food Co-op Racial Equity co-chair and Human Resources assistant manager, who will share information on the racial equity work underway at the Community Food Co-op. The Co-op has embarked on a focused mission to raise awareness around racism and implement racial equity work in the cooperative.

Closing out the evening will be the traditional open mic for sharing poems, stories and songs focusing on diversity, human rights or related issues. We are once again honored to have Kevin Murphy emcee the evening. People are asked to limit presentations to three minutes or less. Please contact karlm@communityfood.coop beforehand to sign up.

All are welcome to enjoy this free event.