MLK Event for 2024:

The City of Federal Way and Diversity Commission are excited to announce the Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. event for 2024, which will be facilitated at the Performing Arts and Event Center (PAEC) located at 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S. Federal Way, WA 98003. The main event is scheduled to occur from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with networking time afterwards from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. The event will feature performances and speeches from prominent community leaders and Mayor Ferrell. The event will also feature a food drive facilitated by Multi-Service Center. For additional information on this event, please select the following link to access the flyer: MLK Event Flyer for 2024

Annual Work Plan: 

To access and review the Diversity Commission's annual work plan for 2024, please select the following link: Annual Work Plan for 2024

Our Mission:
To enrich the lives of all people who live, work, and play in Federal Way by advising and guiding city government with an equity lens, on policies, procedures, practices and current/emerging issues. 

Community Commitments:

  1. To partner and serve as conduit to the community for City leadership with the goal to help remove barriers and increase accessibility to City services for our diverse populations.
  2. To collaborate with City leadership to eliminate all forms of discrimination intentional or non-intentional and help diverse communities be an active part of city growth. 
  3. The Diversity Commission is dedicated to helping Federal Way become a city where all people feel a sense of belonging and where there is equitable access to information and opportunities for all.

One-Year Strategic Objectives:

  1. Engage with Federal Way residents and businesses through community listening sessions with intentions to build knowledge about local and regional diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) issues and partner with City leadership/staff to co-create solutions to challenges.
  2. The Commission will partner with City leadership/staff to co-develop equity processes/tools to increase equitable outcomes for all residents and stakeholders for City of Federal Way.
  3. Equity tools can be in the form of best practices, e.g., checklists, worksheets, etc., to assist with updating current policies/procedures/practices to increase equitable outcomes for all. Equity tools are working documents and should be adjusted to best serve changing demographics with community input.
  4. Equity processes will ensure community members that may have historically experienced negative impacts by current/past city actions be actively engaged early in the decision-making process to prevent harmful impacts.

Current members (appointed pursuant to FWRC 2.65):

  1. Jennifer Kiiru
  2. Saudia Abdullah, Chair
  3. Craig Patrick
  4. Chika Onyejiaka
  5. Shante Lane
  6. Trenise Rogers, Vice-Chair
  7. Ron Walker
  8. Donna Arnold
  9. Jaime Gomez-Beltran
  10. Vacant Alternate Position
  11. Vacane Alternate Position

Meeting logistics: 

  • Time: 5:30 pm
  • Date: The second Thursday of each month.
  • Location: Hylebos Conference Room
    33325 8th Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98003
  • For virtual attendance: By request via email, a Zoom meeting invitation will be provided approximately 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

Meeting agendas and packets: 

To access current and past meeting agendas and packets, please select the following hyperlink: Meeting agendas and packets