The 15th annual MLK Human Rights Conference begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Whatcom Community College's Syre Center, with the theme "Gaining a Voice in Democracy: Tools for Empowerment."

Keynote speaker is Francisco Rios, dean of Western Washington University's Woodring College of Education and a nationally known figure in the field of multicultural education. All are welcome to the free event. Details: whrtf.org.

A poverty action march, sponsored by Whatcom Volunteer Center, begins at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave., on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The day begins with a kickoff breakfast at 10 a.m. at the school. Rosalinda Guillen, director of Community to Community Development, will be guest speaker. Details: 360-734-3055, whatcomvolunteer.org.

From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, parents can bring children age 3 to 8 to Village Books in Fairhaven for activities and stories on social justice. Details: 360-650-7542.

Reach Margaret Bikman at 360-715-2273 or margaret.bikman@bellinghamherald.com. Follow Bellingham Entertainment on Facebook or @bhamentertainme on Twitter.