The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Celebration took place at Los Medanos College Feb. 26 in the Student Union Conference Center. Three community members were awarded in three categories, all based on how the awardees helped the greater Pittsburg community.
Annisha Geran won the Emerging Leadership award for her work at Pittsburg High School and potential in the LMC community.
Kolette Simonton, director of Pittsburg Recreation won the Beloved Community award for her work in giving back to the community through her work at the city.
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton was awarded the Visionary Leadership Award.
In her acceptance speech, she emphasized that it wasn’t easy to get to where she is today, the first African American person and woman of her position in the county.
“As a woman who entered a profession where few look like me, and as someone who has had to break down barriers in every stage of my career, I have learned that adversity is often the birthplace of purpose,” Becton said.
She also explained what it means to her to receive the award.
“This award today means so much to me because it symbolizes more than recognition, it is also a call to action, a call to continue the work of transforming our justice system, a call to create pathways of opportunity for the next generation to come and a call to stand for truth, for dignity and for equality,” Becton said.
Pittsburg High School Principal Reginald Richardson spoke at the event and emphasized his gratitude for being invited to be the guest speaker for the ceremony.
“I am so honored to be able to stand before you and honor and represent one of the greatest heroes in my life that played a pivotal role in shaping and changing the nation that we live in today,” Richardson said in his speech.
He went on to say that he is “living proof” of MLK’s dream.
“His life goal and purpose was to achieve equality of human rights for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, race, and establishing equity and human rights for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged, and all victims of injustice in this very country that we live in today,” Richardson said.
Umoja Scholars Program Coordinator Jamila Stewart said she was pleased to see the success of the ceremony.
“It was good to see people in the community embody the spirit of Dr. King,” Stewart said. “Today was a success. We haven’t had this event for long but it is very nice to finally have it.”
Stewart was instrumental in the effort to implement the MLK Awards last year and was on the planning committee. The event is funded through the president’s office and the LMC Foundation, as well as other organizations on campus.
Stewart explained that it’s a collaboration on all levels. A local group called Brothas of the Drum performed on djembe drums to the audience’s delight, and a local caterer provided food alongside a community baker providing the sweets.
The ceremony concluded with Vice President of Student Services Tanisha Maxwell’s closing remarks.
“LMC continues to work towards ruling out institutionalized racism and anti-blackness unapologetically with intention, love, respect and culturally and responsive consciousness,” Maxwell said.
“The energy and passion was ignited,” said Andrew Murphy, program coordinator for EOPS and one of the event coordinators. “The event was a great success, and I think we are going to do this next year and for the foreseeable future.”
