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Gallery: Community honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 15, 2024 7:39 pm

Event emcee Emi Hansen announces the Lummi Blackhawk singers to a cheering crowd. — Event emcee Emi Hansen announces the Lummi Blackhawk singers. Hansen is a running start student at Whatcom Community College and president of the Black Student Union. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

A crowd of people sitting at several tables covered in dark blue cloths cheering and watching. — Around 300 people attended the Martin Luther King Day event at Sehome High School. City of Bellingham, Western Washington University (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

The Lummi Nation Blackhawk Dancers sing and dance at the MLK Day event breakfast wearing traditional clothing in front of their band of musicians. — The Lummi Nation Blackhawk Dancers sing and dance at the MLK Day event breakfast. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

The Blackhawk Dancers stand in front of the windows letting the sun hide them only to show their silhouettes. — The Blackhawk Dancers introduce themselves. Around two dozen Lummi youth sang and danced to five songs. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Blackhawk Dancers circle the cafeteria of Sehome High School, one dancer in particular has red face paint streaking down from her eyes and mouth. — Blackhawk Dancers circle the cafeteria of Sehome High School. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Keynote speakers Isabella McFrazier, left, and Brian Young share their experiences being Black in Bellingham while sitting on dark green sofas. — Keynote speakers Isabella McFrazier, left, and Brian Young share their experiences being Black in Bellingham. McFrazier is a graduate of Sehome and current student at Western Washington University, and Young teaches at Squalicum High School and coaches football at Sehome. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Nate Gaines sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing." — Nate Gaines, an admissions counselor at and graduate of Western Washington University, sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing" — a song often referred to as the Black National Anthem. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Nia Gipson speaks to the crowd while holding the microphone. — Nia Gipson, the coordinator of the Black Student Coalition at Western Washington University, speaks to the crowd. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Izabella McFrazier gestures as she talks into a microphone dressed in red pink floral clothing and fish bone earrings. — Izabella McFrazier speaks about her experience in Bellingham as a multiracial woman who presents as Black. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Volunteers pack kits filled with food and other necessities by taking from piles placed on the middle of the tables. — Volunteers pack kits filled with food, toiletries, medical supplies and more to give to houseless residents of Bellingham. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Danny Brown, left, and Sam Kim from Western Washington University cut and tie two sheets of fleece into one thick blanket. — Danny Brown, left, and Sam Kim from Western Washington University cut and tie two sheets of fleece into one thick blanket. The blankets were given to Road to Home to give to houseless people. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Warren Sears, 10, left, spreads out white and black blankets with help of mom Katie Kauffman. — Warren Sears, 10, left, spreads out blankets with help of mom Katie Kauffman. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Hundreds attended a breakfast and presentation honoring the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, Jan. 15 at Sehome High School. Service projects followed the presentation in support of homeless individuals.