When visiting Portland, Oregon in 1961, Dr. King addressed the audience at the Keller Auditorium (then called the Civic Auditorium): “Americans must rise above the narrow confines of their individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity,” he said. “They must rid themselves of the notion that there are superior and inferior races.” 

2023 marks more than 50 years after Dr. King’s assassination. His life and work hold a vital place in American history—and his legacy remains urgently significant today in the United States and beyond. In 1983, Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday, the date chosen in honor of his birthday. It is now observed on the third Monday in January—January 16th this year. 

Dr. King’s legacy is honored in a number of sites across Portland. Just weeks after his death, Martin Luther King Jr. School in NE Portland became one of the first schools in the country to be named after Dr. King. On April 24th, 1968, a group of students and teachers won their petition to change the name of what was then Highland School. 

In 1989, a group of Portland community members organized to honor Dr. King by renaming a street in the city after him. The group came up with a list of potential streets to nominate, eventually landing on Union Street. Portland City Council approved an ordinance changing the street’s name to Martin Luther King Blvd. on April 20th, 1989. Though the new name was quickly challenged by a group called the Citizens for Union Avenue, the Oregon Supreme Court eventually ruled that the decision was not subject to change. 

This year, there are several ways to celebrate Dr. King’s life, work and legacy in your local community. Here are some ideas we would like to share: 

Portland area: 

• Reclaim MLK: Annual March for Human Dignity: Join Don’t Shoot Portland for a child-centered protest march from Peninsula Park to the Convention Center. 

• MLK Day of Restoration and Reflection: Volunteer with the Johnson Creek Watershed Council and help restore habitat at Foster Floodplain. All ages welcome! 

• MLK Day Clean Up: Volunteer with SOLVE Oregon to pick up litter along MLK Boulevard. All ages welcome, please sign up in advance. 

• MLK Day On: Join the University of Portland for a range of activities centering on this year’s theme: “Who is Our Beloved Community?” Full list of events available online. 

• Keep Alive the Dream: Join the World Arts Foundation at the historic Hollywood Theater for a free screening of Keep the Dream Alive, a film highlighting activists, community leaders, artists, musicians, and youth who have impacted Oregon’s African American community. 

• Chimney Park Tree Planting: Join Urban Forestry to plant trees! Materials provided, all ages welcome. 

Vancouver, Washington area: 

• MLK Day of Service Tree Planting (Vancouver, WA): Join the Watershed Alliance at Burnt Bridge Creek for a day of tree planting! Ages 3 and up welcome, please register in advance.  

Virtual options and educational materials: 

• 2023 I Have a Dream Virtual Race: Sign up to participate in the 3rd annual self-guided I Have a Dream Race! A portion of registration fees support the Equal Justice Initiative. 

• Watch this video to learn how NE Portland’s Martin Luther King Jr. School became one of the first schools in the country to be renamed after Dr. King: 

• Read more about the history of MLK Blvd. In Portland, Oregon.