Dr. Gloria Burgess and the Community Foundation of Snohomish County to be honored at Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday January 15

Dr. Gloria Burgess

Dr. Gloria Burgess and the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, two community icons with long histories of enriching local communities through their work in philanthropy, continuous learning, mentorship, and economic empowerment, have been selected as the 2024 Beloved Community Award recipients by the Lift Every Voice Legacy (LEVL) Board of Directors, it was announced this week.

The awards will be presented by LEVL at the 6th Annual Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Inspiring a Beloved Community in Song, Spoken Word and Dance program beginning at 6pm on January 15, 2024 at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, 220 Railroad Ave, Edmonds WA 98020.

General admission tickets for the Evening Program are $15 and can be purchased through Eventbrite or at the LEVL website: beloved4all.org

Burgess, who lived in Edmonds for 36 years before her recent out-of-state relocation, is CEO and President of Jazz, Inc. and is recognized as a trusted advisor, consultant, and executive coach locally and worldwide. 

She is known for her grounded approach in intercultural competence, appreciative inquiry, and advocacy on tough issues related to race, reconciliation, reflective thought, and leadership. 

“She has a calming nature but the strength and depth of her knowledge and wisdom has made her a lasting icon of coaching and mentoring to many of us for more than three decades,” said Donnie Y. Griffin, LEVL’s Founder and President, quoting a statement from one of her award nominators.

In addition, along with her husband John, Gloria administers the family foundation providing program support and financial assistance to children and youth with emphasis on leadership, technology, the arts, and cross-cultural citizenship.

“The Community Foundation of Snohomish County (cf-sc) in Everett does not make much of a fuss about promoting its work throughout Snohomish County but its fingerprints can be found on the good works of several non-profit projects in small and large population service areas. This is particularly the case among Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community-based organizations,” commented Griffin.

During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the foundation natured and financially assisted over 70 BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations in Snohomish county as part of a CARES Act co-hart support group. "Many of which would have never survived the harsh economic downturn," Griffin added. 

“The Community Foundation of Snohomish County has made a commitment to advance equity and social justice by transforming itself into a diverse, equitable, and inclusive foundation, “according to its public statement on equity.

With 50 percent of its staff and 75 percent of its Board of Directors consisting of people of color, it appears the foundation is living up to its equity values internally as they are externally, Griffin noted.

“Dr. Gloria Burgess and the Community Foundation of Snohomish County are excellent role models of our Beloved Community values -- creating communities free of hatred, injustice and poverty,” Griffin said. 

“LEVL is excited to shine a light on their good works,” he continued. 

In addition to the Evening Program, A Beloved Community – Morning Program for children and families will take place from 9:30 to 11:30am also on January 15th at the Edmonds Waterfront Center. 

Admission to the Morning Program is free and will feature local performers in addition to a variety of fun activities specially designed for children and families such as a cooking demonstration for children, art workshops, tap and ballet dance lessons, and children's storytelling.