LYNNWOOD—Dr. Paul A. Stoot Sr, Senior Pastor/Founder of Greater Trinity Church, Founder/CEO of Rise Up Academy, and Lynnwood Times’ 2025 Person of the Year was the keynote speaker for Edmonds College’s MLK Celebration: Together We Stand: Justice Beyond the Dream event.
“Today, we’re here to talk about something big—bigger than me, bigger than any of us individually. Our theme is “Together We Stand: Justice Beyond the Dream,” said Dr. Stoot, Sr. “Now, I know that sounds deep—and trust me, it is—but it’s also an invitation. An invitation to honor the past, challenge the present, and build a future where justice isn’t just an idea—justice is a reality.”
Through his philanthropic endeavors with Rise Up Academy, Dr. Stoot has successfully raised over $7 million for various programs, initiatives, and new infrastructure, significantly enhancing the educational landscape for the community. He founded Rise Up Academy to provide accessible and innovative education, believing it is the cornerstone of closing the achievement gap and building a more equitable future for all.
Dr. Stoot, Sr. began his speech by sharing a story about a kid from Houston, Texas, growing up in a place where opportunities were scarce and expectations for kids like him were even scarcer. That kid eventually joined the United States Navy where he learned a lot about duty, responsibility, and leadership. That kid was, in fact, him — Dr. Paul A. Stoot, Sr…