1207 Ellsworth St.
Bellingham
Community Food Co-op Hosts 25th Annual MLK Jr. Day Event
Bellingham, Washington | In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Community Food Co-op will host its 25th annual MLK Jr. Day Event. Join us to 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.
25th Annual MLK Jr. Day Event
Monday, January 20 at 7 p.m. (“All Welcomed Choir” rehearsal begins at 6 p.m.)
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
1207 Ellsworth St., Bellingham
Free to attend. Everyone welcome.
FEATURING:
Checo Tohomaso, Special Musical Guest
Checo played keyboards and percussion and provided backup vocals on Motown legend Marvin Gaye’s last European tour. He also has performed with Lionel Richie and The Commodores, Celine Dion, New Kids On The Block, and Reba McEntire, among others. Presently, Checo serves as the director of two British Columbia-based choirs — VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir in Vancouver and Victoria Sweet Soul Choir in Victoria. He focuses on communicating the positive, healing qualities of soul music to as many people as possible. Checo will be our musical guest throughout the evening — a performance not to be missed. He is spirited, authentic and true to the music.
We invite the community to come and rehearse with Checo one hour before the event. Songs will include: “Everyday People,” “Woke Up This Morning,” “Steal Away,” “Oh Happy Day,” “Love Train” and “A Change is Going to Come.” Bellingham City Councilman Skip Williams will share “A Change is Going to Come” as part of the evening’s musical performance.
Dr. Sislena Grocer Ledbetter, Keynote Speaker
Social psychologist and educator, Dr. Ledbetter holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University and master’s and doctoral degrees from Howard University, all earned with honors. She has completed post-graduate studies in educational leadership at Georgetown and Harvard Universities. Currently serving as the Associate Vice President of Counseling, Health, and Wellbeing at Western Washington University, Dr. Ledbetter has led initiatives across higher education, securing millions in grants for peer-led health programs addressing critical issues such as HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and domestic violence.
For over nine years, she hosted “A Healthy Mind” — a television program dedicated to mental health awareness. As Chair-Elect of the U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network, Dr. Ledbetter advances cultures of well-being and equity in education on campuses nationwide. Her research focuses on women’s wellness and leadership for women of color, as well as fostering healthy relationships within the Black community. She is the proud mom of three adult men.
Lance Jones, Special Presenter & Emcee
Lance has spent his career collaborating with people, organizations and governments around the globe to hone their voice, activate their constituencies and realize their visions.
In the early-1900s, Pop-Pop — Lance’s great-grandfather — slipped a lynch mob and escaped the Deep South. Almost a century later, Lance graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and dedicated four years fighting for the marginalized as a speechwriter, policy interpreter and communications strategist on Washington D.C.’s Capitol Hill. He currently serves as the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Northwest Youth Services. Lance is grounded, in part, by memories of the inclusive warmth offered to him and his mom at their Unity Fellowship in Maryland.
Please join us in celebration as we honor Dr. King and his concept of a “Beloved Community” on this special day.
Community Food Co-op is grateful to Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, who have made this event possible by sharing their space. A freewill offering will be accepted to support their organization “Humanitas Ministry,” whose primary mission is to provide emergency financial assistance to people in need.
