Vashon Center for the Arts will host its third annual MLK Day event at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, in a virtual presentation at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

The event, “Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr: Taking Responsibility to Act for Change” could not be more timely in light of current events.

In past years, the event has included gathering as a community over food provided by volunteer Jennifer Brenner. In this pandemic year, that tradition will continue in a safe way, with treat boxes handed out in the VCA parking lot from 12 to 2 p.m. on the day of the event.

“It feels important to offer food in the spirit of nourishing our community again this year, even if we can’t be together in person,” said Brenner.

Speakers and performers for the event will include:

Daemond Arrindell (he/him) is a multi-genre writer, arts educator, performer, and arts and equity consultant. He has written for City Arts, Specter, Crosscut, Poetry NorthWest, and Seattle Review of Books, and self-published two chapbooks, “Hungry for the Word,” and “Mission Statement.” He is Adjunct Faculty at Seattle University; Faculty member of Freehold Theatre and co-facilitator of poetry and theater residencies at Monroe Correctional Complex for men; Senior Writer-In-Residence through Seattle Arts & Lectures’ Writers in the Schools Program; a Jack Straw Writer and Writer’s program curator; and a VONA/Voices Writer’s Workshop fellow. In 2019, he performed his first one-man show, “Frozen Borders,” a performative exploration in imagery, poetry and emotion on the subject of the United States’ southern border.

Joana Chacon (she/her) has been an educator in Boston and Seattle for over 10 years. The daughter of activist Salvadoran immigrant parents, she was instilled with a strong sense of civic action. Joana worked as a Martinez Foundation Fellow, studying race and equity in schools in the company of educators of color. She has applied her learning as an educator, teaching English, Spanish Literature, and Multicultural literature, and most recently, in her role as co-executive director of Newton South High School’s Human Rights Council. Last summer, with a team of educators from across the nation, Joana grassroots organized the National Educator Anti-Racism Conference which brought together educators from all 50 states and 24 countries for a week of content area-specific sessions led by antiracist scholars.

Dr. Bre Haizlip (she/her) is a science-savvy empowerment speaker who believes that social healing is social justice. She is an award-winning psychology professor, equity executive and thought leader in healing-centered social change. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), she specializes in individual and organizational transformation. Through her personal coaching, writings, podcasts, workshops or retreats, Dr. Bre emboldens participants to pause for presence, pursue peace and center wellness in all things.

Dakota Camacho (they/them) is a multi-disciplinary artist and researcher working in spaces of Indigenous life ways, performance, musical composition, community engagement, and education. Camacho holds an MA in Performance Studies from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BA in Gender and Women’s Studies as a First Wave Urban Arts and Hip Hop Scholar.

Stephanie Anne Johnson (they/them) is a singer and songwriter, award-winning rhythm and blue performer and front- person for Tacoma-based band, The Hidogs. They have performed on Vashon several times and have also appeared on the NBC-TV series, The Voice.

Visit vashoncenterforthearts.org for more event information.