The Multicultural Scholars Programs offers 10 students from Mercer Island (suburban) and 10 students from Franklin High School (inner city) a unique year-long project. The students learn about Seattle and National Civil Rights history in a month of Saturday classes, take anti-bias training, and learn about each other. After school is out they hit the south for 10 days of oral history with Civil Rights leaders in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Upon their return, the students come back and complete a service project. Most of these students would never, ever get to meet. Many agree that it’s amazing to watch them learn to love each other.

Please check out our past trip blogs.

This year (2007-2008) our service project is quite extraordinary. The students are putting together a permanent exhibit for the ACT Theatre commemorating the MLK visit. Dr. Martin Luther King’s only Seattle visit was in 1961 at the invitation of Dr. Samuel McKinney. Dr. King had to appear at the Eagles Auditorium because the original venue cancelled without reason (most felt it was racism), at the last minute. Students will interview people who were involved with his initial invitation and patrons who attended the event. They’ll also select photos, write the verbiage and install the exhibit. The Museum of History and Industry is partnering with us in this venture.

In May 2008, MWW/MCSP will have its first live/silent auction event on Mercer Island. Please join us for this special evening. You can pre-register here.