Live Updates: 31st Annual MLK Jr. Breakfast

8:30 a.m.

The emcee of this morning's MLK Breakfast, Daisy Santos, a corporate trainer with Northwest Natural, welcomes the audience on behalf of The Skanner Foundation.

Ms. Santos invites the audience to sing, “Lift Ev’ry Voice”, before leading them in prayer.

8:50 a.m.

An introduction of the Head Table of distinguished guests, including Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Gov. Kate Brown and U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

Wheeler asks us to be strong during the transition into a Trump presidency."Don't straddle the line. Stay with MLK on the line of justice!"

Gov. Kate Brown states that all Oregonians are entitled to equal pay and healthcare, regardless of color, gender or sexual orientation.

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley leads audience in chant, "What do you want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!"

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden gives Bernie and Bobbie Foster of The Skanner News a standing ovation.

9:00 a.m.

Breakfest is served!

9:10 a.m.

The Skanner Publisher Bernie Foster encourages guests to sign petition to change the name of Delta Park in North Portland to Vanport Park, in honor of the lost population of Vanport, Oregon.

9:15 a.m.

Keynote Speaker, civil rights attorney Howard Moore Jr., takes the stage for this address. He warns that the progress the United States has achieved in the last 50 years - the civil rights of all people - is in peril, but it won't stop us from fighting. 

"Dr. King was a prophet. Dr. King was not like a revolutionary - he was a revolutionary," says Moore. "Black Lives Do Matter. I'm sure you'll support it. It's a source of revolutionary change."

9:40 a.m.

Daisy Santos introduces one of the Pacific Northwest's premier vocalists, Alonzo Chadwick, "to feed our spirit," says Santos.

9:50 a.m.

Bobbie Dore Foster, executive editor of The Skanner News, and Jerry Foster, advertising manager, present The Skanner Foundation scholarships to students.

The 2017 Skanner Foundation Scholarship Recipients:

Allyson Knapper, Oregon Health & Science University, sponsor: Family Care

Cameron Retherford, Portland Community College, sponsor: Oregon Lottery

Noah Tewelde, De La Salle North Catholic High School, sponsor: University of Oregon

Ruben Sanchez, Portland State University, sponsor: Portland Development Commission

Makayla Agnew, De La Salle North Catholic High School, sponsor: Enterprise Holdings

Eli Cooney, De La Salle North Catholic High School, sponsor: Oregon Health & Science University

Jessica Isibor, Emory University, sponsor: Providence Health & Services

Victoria Trinh, Boston College, sponsor: UBER

Maliyah Harris, De La Salle North Catholic High School, sponsor: City of Portland

McKenzie Strong, Portland Community College, sponsor: homeforward

Hiermon Medhanie, De La Salle North Catholic High School, sponsor: Pacific Power

Anthony Sylvester, Pomona College, sponsor: Turner

Janelle Arnold, Marist College, sponsor: Wells Fargo

Michelle Carr, Kent State University, sponsor: The Skanner Foundation

Luis Sosa, Portland State University, sponsor: The Skanner Foundation

10:10 a.m.

 Alonzo Chadwick takes the stage one more time, singing "Walk with me, Lord!"

10:15 a.m.

The Skanner Publisher Bernie Foster thanks everyone for coming, and addresses young people, "Go out and become something, contribute to society, make us proud."

10:20 a.m. 

Gov. Kate Brown encourages all Oregonians to obseve Jan 16, 2017 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

10:25 a.m.

Daisy Santos delivers benediction.