Balducci awards Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service to Ken Wong

June 3, 2026

King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci on Tuesday awarded Ken Wong 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?”

“Ken’s unwavering dedication to making East King County a more just and equitable place is only matched by his commitment and passion for supporting and uplifting youth on the Eastside,” Balducci said. “He is a leader who is not only highly respected, but beloved. I want to thank him for his years of service with and for our community.”

Wong has been a beloved and respected youth leader in East King County for many years, helping and empowering young people in Redmond, Bellevue, and beyond. In addition, he is the longtime coordinator of the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition, one of the leading equity organizations on the Eastside, and has helped lead the group’s response to many community issues and incidents. His gentle and steady leadership has helped countless people — both youth and adults — learn and grow.

Wong has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington and has been directly and indirectly supporting youth on the Eastside for more than 25 years. He currently works for the Bellevue School District as the Supervisor of Equity and Student Success. In this role, he supports staff who work with students, especially students of color, to help them be successful. He coordinates the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition and serves on the board of The Little School and the Leadership Council of Eastside Pathways. When he is not working, he likes the outdoors, especially being at the beach, fishing, and hiking.

Watch a video about Wong that was presented along with the award here.

This marks the 11th year that councilmembers have each selected someone from their district whose work embodies the spirit of King’s question.