The Federal Way Diversity Commission has announced the speaker for the next Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and remembrance event, which will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S.
The Rev. Anthony Thompson will visit Federal Way all the way from South Carolina to share his message that is also this year’s theme: “Turning Pain into Peace — Living out the Dream.”
The Diversity Commission shared that Rev. Thompson is known nationally for his powerful message of forgiveness, healing and racial reconciliation.
“In 2015, his wife, Myra Thompson, was among the nine lives lost during the tragic Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting. In the years since, Rev. Thompson has become a prominent voice for unity and grace, sharing his journey toward forgiveness and the path to peace,” the commission shared on their website.
Thompson is also the author of “Called to Forgive: The Charleston Church Shooting, a Victim’s Husband, and the Path to Healing and Peace,” a book that reflects on faith, restoration and the courage to choose forgiveness in the face of unimaginable loss. Rev. Thompson also founded One New Humanity Charleston, an organization dedicated to fostering repentance, reconciliation and community healing.
Reverend Anthony Thompson serves as the pastor of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and is known nationally for his powerful message of forgiveness, healing, and racial reconciliation. He will be the featured speaker for the 2026 Dr. MLK Jr. event in Federal Way. Courtesy photo.
Diversity Commission member Ron Walker told the Mirror he believes the speaker will be especially impactful this year because of “the diversity of Federal Way and just how many different cultures and subcultures we have.”
Walker said with such a mix of different cultures and life experiences, “there’s always opportunities for people to be offended. There’s always opportunities for people to be have difficulty,” but that a speaker that focuses on “how you make it through difficult times” can remind people that sometimes it’s important to “step outside of yourself” to make that happen.
“I think it’s imperative for our city because we are a microcosm of the nation. I’ve always felt that whatever problems, situations we solve here in Federal Way, we’ve pretty much been able to solve that same problem nationally,” Walker said. “He’s going to come with a message that’s a universal message, and we’re very fortunate to have it.”
Walker has been involved in planning the local Dr. MLK Jr. event for many years and conceived of the tradition of lighting the Federal Way Community Flame, an annual feature that highlights community leaders representing values of the city.
In addition to speakers and the lighting of the community flame, each year the event also features performances that celebrate the rich cultural traditions that make up the local community.
Last year these performances included dance performances with cultural origins in China, India, the Philippines and more, as well as traditions the developed in the U.S. like tap dance and gospel music. Performers last year included Happy Dance Studio, East Indian ABC Dance, FIL – AM Dance troop, Northwest Tap, Integrity Life Children’s Choir and more as well as Kenisha Blackman, who performed the national anthem.
This year’s performance lineup has not been released yet, but Walker told the Mirror that guests can trust they will bring the talent, entertainment and cultural diversity of former years.
Each year the event draws leaders from around the region as one of the largest Dr. MLK Jr. events in South King County.
