Federal Way will celebrate diversity and community Jan. 17 at its 18th annual Martin Luther King celebration.

The event’s theme is “Building Community,” and the gathering is meant to celebrate Dr. King, the civil rights movement, community and diversity. A variety of performances, images of the civil rights movement and excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches will be seen and heard at the event, which runs 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday at Decatur High School, 2800 SW 320th St.

The Community Flame will have a presence at the gathering. Event agenda:

• Opening dance performance by Brittney Smith

• Welcome by bestselling author and speaker Debrena Jackson Gandy

• Musical salute of the American flag by the Federal Way Harmony Kings

• Mayor address by Skip Priest

• Musical performance by NoonDaySun

• Keynote address by Professor Carl Livingston

• Musical performance by Michelle Lang and Still Water

• Recognition of the 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Public Advocate Award recipients

• Community Flame presentation

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Highline Community College

Highline Community College will celebrate 25 years of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day from Jan. 18-21 with events featuring nationally known figures, including former activist Bill Ayers, scholar Dr. Jared Ball, author Dr. Michael Honey and Velma Veloria, the first Filipina elected to a state Legislature in the U.S. Events are free and open to the public. Highline is located at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South in Des Moines, just north of Federal Way. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.highline.edu/stuserv/programs/mlkweek.htm.