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By The Skanner News | The Skanner News
Published: 05 January 2022

The Skanner Foundation's 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast virtual event will stream here starting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January, 17, 2022.

Also on YouTube @TheSkannerNews. Have a watch party, celebrate with friends, family, colleagues. See you there!

If the video doesn't start automatically, push the play button.


The Skanner Foundation again invites the community to share breakfast and celebrate the life, work, and vision of civil rights icon the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. with its 36th annual celebration the morning of Jan. 17, 2022.

In past years, the breakfast has hosted more than a thousand attendees, often including the governor and both state and U.S. senators and representatives. Out of caution for yet another surge in the pandemic, the foundation has elected to hold its celebration on a virtual platform for a second year.

While the social dynamic may feel different, this year’s line-up is no less impressive. In addition to inspiring words from our elected officials, you'll hear from previous student scholarship winners, and enjoy local musical talent.

Local hero honored

This year’s breakfast will also be an occasion to honor a local civil rights leader who has yet to be revealed. Bernie Foster describes the honoree as a “frontline soldier” in the ongoing fight for racial justice on the local level and beyond.

“Frontline soldiers took over when their commander went down; they had to be innovative on their own,” Foster said. “They had to swing into action. This person has done that in the last 10 years.

"I think she’s our drum major for justice.”

As is tradition, the breakfast is an occasion to announce scholarship recipients: students who, in the spirit of Dr. King, plan to pursue educational goals that will serve their communities.

Donate to The Skanner Foundation

To make a donation, of any amount, to The Skanner Foundation to help support the 36th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, and the foundation’s other community programs, please use the donate button below.

A special thank you to all of our sponsors.

Platinum Sponsors

RALI Oregon university oregon US Forest Service PGEoregon lotteryuniversity oregonProsper PortlandKaiser Permanente

Gold Sponsors

 providenceMetromultnomah county Pepsihome forward Hood to Coast

Silver Sponsors

WellsFargoturner constructionpacific powerenterprise holdingsCity of Portland 121x90 WellsFargoPCRIJessie F. Richardson Foundation  The Skanner Foundation

Special Grants

Howard S Wright

OH Logotype Stacked RGBThis program was made possible in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities (OH), a statewide nonprofit organization and an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, which funds OH’s grant program.

NEH Preferred Seal Transparent820The Skanner Foundation’s 36th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

 Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities

Table Sponsors:

African American Catholic Community of Oregon Oregon Health Authority, Office of Equity and Inclusion
AT&T Oregon Historical Society
Business Oregon Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission
Care Oregon PassinArt: A Theatre Company
Cascade Festival of African Films Portland Business Alliance
Colas Construction Portland Community College
Eli Lilly Portland Fire & Rescue
Heritage Bank Portland Trail Blazers
Howard S. Wright SAIF
MODA Health Self Enhancement Inc.
Multnomah County Board of Commissioners Tillamook County Creamery Association
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Travel Portland
OHSU Trillium Family Service
OPB TriMet
Oregon Business and Industry  US Bank

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