This year’s keynote speaker is Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, Ed.D., the Spring 2026 Swope Endowed Lecturer. He serves as the resident bishop of the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, overseeing the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Conferences. He brings more than 20 years of trusted leadership in pastoral, administrative, and innovative capacities. He has served as a lead pastor for multi-ethnic, multicultural congregations in California, as district superintendent for one of the most diverse regions in United Methodism, and director of innovation and communications. Bridgeforth has also authored several books, including Alabama Grandson: A Black, Gay Minister's Passage out of Hiding, and is the founder of 20/20 Leadership Lessons, Inc., where he provides coaching for clergy and nonprofit leaders. He holds a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University.
In addition to Bishop Bridgeforth’s address, the event will feature welcome remarks from President Isiaah Crawford, the presentation of Puget Sound’s annual Keep Living the Dream award, and a closing call to action by University Chaplain, Rev. Dave Wright ’96.
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
7 p.m.
(Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
University of Puget Sound
Schneebeck Concert Hall
Admission is free and open to the community
Parking
On-campus parking will be available in parking lots P4 and P13 located at N. Union Ave. & N. 14th St.
Additional parking locations can be found on our campus map.
The celebration is hosted by the Office of Institutional Equity & Diversity in collaboration with the Swope Endowed Lectures. The lectures are made possible by an endowment established in honor of Puget Sound alumna Jane Hammer Swope ’42. The lectures invite significant speakers to campus to help the Puget Sound community engage with themes of faith, ethics, values, or religion in society.
History at Puget Sound
The observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday has been a tradition at the University of Puget Sound since before it was established as a national holiday in 1986. Prior to the current series of distinguished speakers and celebrations in Kilworth Chapel, the Black Student Union (BSU) presented concerts by local performers and entertainers.
In 1988, the BSU observed the newly proclaimed holiday with a celebration dance, the proceeds of which benefited Disabled United Employment Services and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Since 1989, the University has presented an annual event featuring presentations by students, administrators, and faculty, music from the Bethlehem Baptist and Mt. Zion Baptist choirs, and inspiring words from guest speakers, including Dr. Charles Mitchell, President, Seattle Central Community College; the Hon. Jack Tanner, Federal Court Judge; Dr. Joye Hardiman, Director, The Evergreen State College in Tacoma; Rev. Sam McKinney of Seattle’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church; late Professor Robert Ford, University of Puget Sound; King County Councilman Larry Gossett; and Rev. Dr. Leslie Braxton ‘83 of New Beginnings Church.
