Zahilay awards Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service to Matt Chan

June 12, 2024

King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay on Tuesday posthumously awarded Matt Chan with the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service, an award that recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”

Chan, who spent much of his professional career in the television industry, including founding the production company behind the impactful reality show, “Hoarders,” was a tireless advocate for his community.

“This award is a celebration of Matt’s life and legacy of advocacy, storytelling, empowerment, and service,” Zahilay said. “This legacy lives on in every film he’s made, every life he’s touched, every movement he’s helped build, and every voice he’s amplified. As we reflect on Matt’s contributions, let us carry forward his passion for justice, commitment for community, and unwavering spirit of advocacy.” 

Chan was a consistent and vocal advocate for greater diversity within the industry and used his storytelling skills to amplify the stories of people and communities of color. In 2016, he produced a short documentary called “Who Killed Donnie Chin?” about the unsolved murder of a Seattle community activist. After retiring from TV, Matt Chan spent his time as an adjunct professor at the University of Washington, teaching Advanced Video Storytelling.

Beyond his media success, Chan’s heart was deeply rooted in his community. He was a vocal advocate and champion for Seattle's Chinatown International District, and worked hard to build, support, and uplift his community.

He taught cooking classes to seniors and was also a longtime volunteer youth baseball and basketball coach for Seattle Parks and Recreation, supporting and guiding kids in their journey to becoming compassionate adults. His work in political media consultation and his efforts to nurture future talent in media underscore his dedication to empowerment and representation.

Chan’s posthumous award honors his significant contributions to community advocacy, celebrating a legacy that continues to inspire and impact lives.

This marks the ninth year that councilmembers have each selected someone from their district whose work embodies the spirit of King’s question.