In Loving Memory of KL Shannon

The Seattle Martin Luther King Jr. Organizing Coalition dedicates our 2026–2027 Rally, March, programs, and events to the life and legacy of our beloved Vice Chair, KL Shannon.

KL’s story with the Coalition began long before she became our Vice Chair. She first became part of this work as a little girl, growing up alongside the Coalition and the community that gathers year after year to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy. Over the years, she went from being a young person surrounded by this movement to becoming one of the leaders entrusted with helping carry it forward.

That journey made KL an extraordinary part of the history and heart of this Coalition.

She understood the importance of investing in young people because she had once been one of those young people herself. She grew into a leader, organizer, mentor, and advocate who gave her time, energy, and heart back to the community that helped shape her.

KL’s life reminds us that Dr. King’s legacy is not carried forward by one generation alone. It is passed from generation to generation through service, mentorship, organizing, leadership, and the responsibility we have to create opportunities for those coming behind us.

As we move through this year, honoring KL means more than remembering her. It means continuing to invest in young people. It means creating space for new leaders to find their voices. It means serving our neighbors, organizing our community, and continuing the work toward the Beloved Community Dr. King envisioned.

"I've come to the conclusion that I was born to be an organizer."

- KL Shannon