Posted by the King County Martin Luther King Day Committee

Since COVID-19’s emergence, our community has been rocked by despair, tests and trials, grief, and struggle. In the midst of what some may deem the greatest turmoil we have ever experienced, we still fight and work towards solutions that bring our community together, ever better.

Every year the King County MLK Day committee chooses a theme that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and that guides the tone of the event and the recognition.

This year, the committee chose to focus on stories of hope and these words from author and activist James Baldwin:

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

With this in mind, the MLK committee would like to hear from you, our beloved King County employees, and asks that you share with us your stories of hope, strength, resilience, compassion, and determination in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. King County employees have faced this crisis head on, among other challenges, and show tremendous determination to deliver needed services to our communities. Employees have continued working to make our King County community better and stronger. The MLK Committee wants to hear your story of hope, strength, and resilience, so please consider sharing.

If you have a story you would like to share, we ask that you email it to Brooke McConnaughey at BMcConnaughey@kingcounty.gov with the subject line “Story of Hope.” We kindly ask that submissions be 500 words or less. We will be collecting and featuring selections throughout the month of January and featuring six selections for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. annual memorial event on Jan. 13.

We look forward to sharing in your journey and building up hope through your words.