Jerome E. Horton, Chairman of the California Board of Equalization, has received the Quincy Beaver Courageous Leadership Award from the Martin Luther King (MLK) Democratic Club of Carson, California, for his outstanding work on the Board of Equalization and the exemplary service he has provided to his constituents throughout his career.
Horton’s involvement with the Martin Luther King Democratic Committee dates back 30 years to when he was a community activist, President of the Inglewood Democratic Club, Chair of the Democratic Assembly 51st District Committee, and co-founder of Children’s Right’s 2000. He worked with the MLK Democratic Club of Carson’s founder, Quincy Beaver, for universal health care, affirmative action, and other progressive and human rights issues. His fight for civil rights continues to this day.
Horton’s Campaign Against Poverty has captured millions in federal and state funds, protected affordable housing, and provided employment opportunities for the poor. His fight against criminals operating in the underground economy has resulted in arrests, prosecutions and recovery of millions in state revenue. His employment and mentorship programs have resulted in the promotion of more women and minorities to high-ranking positions within the Board of Equalization and Franchise Tax Board.
Previous recipients of the Quincy Beaver Courageous Leadership Award include: former United States Representative Diane Watson; United States Representatives Karen Bass and Maxine Waters; Loyola Marymount University administrator Bob Farran; Attorney Michele Dobson-Wilson; California State University, Dominguez Hills, Professor M. Keith Claybrook Jr.; California State Treasurer John Chiang; renowned architect Charles A. Cofield; founder of Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant and motivational speaker Robert “Bob” Farrell; Los Angeles teacher, activist, and author Mabie Settlage; and the Feomaia family, with eight of its members serving in the military.
Chairman Horton was elected to serve his current four-year term as a member of the Board of Equalization in November, 2014.
