MLK 2025 Recap
Keynote Speaker: Ben McBride
Ben McBride is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and strategist known for helping organizations build cultures where everyone belongs. He is the co-founder of the Empower Initiative, a capacity-building firm that equips institutions across sectors to foster belonging, bridge across difference, and lead cultural transformation with courage and clarity.
With deep roots in public safety reform, community organizing, and faith-based leadership, Ben has spent over two decades advancing equity in education, policing, and civic life. His work has supported Fortune 500 companies, school districts, philanthropic collaboratives, and communitybased coalitions across the U.S. and abroad, previously leading California's largest multiracial, multifaith organizing network.
Ben was named one of the nation’s top leaders to watch by the Center for American Progress, and his work has been featured in the Sundance award-winning documentary The Force. He is the author of Troubling the Water (Broadleaf Books, 2023), which outlines a bold framework for fostering belonging in divided times. Ben lives in Northern California with his wife and partner, Gynelle, and they are proud parents of three daughters.
2026 Mountaintop Awardees
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Dr. Natalie Ellington
Community Award
Founder, Director of Eileen and Callie’s Place
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Delbert Richardson
Education Award
Founder, Curator of the American History Traveling Museum: The Unspoken Truths
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Donald I. King, FAIA
Business Award
Co-Founder and Sr. Project Director of the Nehemiah Initiative Seattle
The 2026 Co-Hosts
For more than a decade, Seattle’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast has brought together businesses, non-profit organizations, and church communities to celebrate the enduring spiritual legacy of Dr. King. Each year, we honor leaders in education, business, and community service who embody his vision of justice, reconciliation, and transformative love in action.
Founded by Donnie Griffin and Rev. Allen Belton, the MLK Prayer Breakfast was born out of a shared commitment to keep Dr. King’s dream alive in the heart of Seattle. In 2019, they passed the torch to co-chairs, Romanita Hairston and Rev. Harvey Drake, who carried the mission forward with grace and purpose. In 2022, the co-chair mantle transitioned to Rosa Nicole Booker and Mike Davis, who continued to build upon this powerful legacy.
Now, as the movement grows and evolves, Rosa Nicole Booker and Mike Davis will pass the torch to Jenny Elsey and Isiah Anderson, Jr., ushering in a new season of unity, hope, and shared purpose for our city and beyond.
Dr. Jenny Lei Elsey
Dr. Jenny Lei Elsey is a 1.5 generation Taiwanese American immigrant. She has spent over 20 years working in higher education, teaching students about biblical justice, racial reconciliation, and community organizing. She currently works as the Director for Student Belonging and Support Services at Seattle Pacific University. Dr. Elsey also has the privilege of serving as the Cultural Development Lead and Coach for Leadership Center, a global leadership consulting and coaching firm. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for the Beloved Community serves as a foundational framework for her approach to the work. As a co-host for the MLK Prayer Breakfast, she hopes to facilitate space for participants to be inspired, challenged, refreshed, and rejuvenated by Dr. King’s legacy so that they can go back into their communities and continue the good work.
Isiah Anderson, Jr.
Isiah Anderson Jr. is a native of Joliet IL, and came to Seattle in 1984 for a visit, and has been visiting ever since. As the oldest of three, Isiah and his two siblings were raised by their loving mother as a single parent the majority of his life. This would play a major role in his future when he himself would become a single parent as well, successfully raising two sons of his own, Marcus D. Anderson & Jermiral D. Jackson.
Isiah serves as the Parks Department Recreation Program Coordinator for Citywide Performing Arts and Co-Owner/Artistic Director of Acts On Stage Theater. He was also the Teen Development Leader/Educator for the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute after-school Hearts and Minds program from 1990-2009. As Director of the Parks and Recreation Annual Teen Summer Musicals rehearsed out of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute sense 1996, he has created original urban theatrical hits such as Grease “The Way We Do It” in 2004, The Soul of Beauty and the Beast in 2003, The Wiz in 1997, The Wiz “With a Renaissance Swing” in 2002, The Wiz “A Search for Brilliance” in 2017, Peter Pan “My Brother’s Keeper” in 2016, Uncle Willy’s Chocolate Factory in 2005, Snow White and The 7? “Each One Teach One” in 2001 & 2015 and Summer Rhapsody “The Reunion” in 2006 just to name a few. He also directed Sadie’s Kitchen an original production, by local playwright La’Chris Jordan.
In addition to directing, Isiah is also a member of B.U.I.L.D (Brothers United In Leadership Development) an actor and well-known national Comedian. He has appeared several times on Black Entertainment Television's BET Comic View and has been a featured performer on Russell Simmons’s Def Jam Comedy Tour.
Isiah gives all praise and glory to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the many blessings he has and continues to receive.
2026 Sponsors
Community Partners
The Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast is presented by the MLK Prayer Breakfast Planning Committee, made up of our community partners and ad-hoc members: Acts On Stage, Centered, Olive Crest, Seattle Pacific University, Together for Seattle, Urban Family, Vision House, World Relief, Caenisha Warren, Rosa Nicole Booker, and Michael Davis.