Over 425 guests filled the California Science Center’s Loker Conference Center on Saturday, January 16, 2016 for the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) Third Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service Forum. Each year this event, which embraces Dr. King’s vision of the “Beloved Community,” seeks to inform attendees about Southern California’s air pollution challenges and encourages them to work with the SCAQMD to achieve clean air for all.
The audience enjoyed personal reflections on the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King shared by the program keynote speaker former Mayor of San Francisco, Willie L. Brown, Jr. and special guest actor/director William Allen Young (Moesha, Code Black). SCAQMD Governing Board Members, Chairman Dr. William A. Burke, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Dr. Clark E. Parker, Sr., and Dr. Joseph K. Lyou, were joined by elected officials, including California Assembly Member and Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus Reginald Jones-Sawyer, and City of Inglewood Councilmember Ralph Franklin.
In addition a host of other community leaders attended the event, including: former U.S. Congresswomen Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke and Diane Watson, former California Senator Nate Holden, former California Assembly Member Richard Alatorre, and former Councilmember Bernard Parks.
SCAQMD recognized lifelong community leader and activist Evelyn Knight with the inaugural Justice for All award for championing social and environmental causes that serve to better humanity, family and community. Musical entertainment included vocalist Denise Tillman and saxophonist J. Boykin. The event culminated with an inspiring performance by Gerald Rivers, known as “The Voice of Dr. King,” supported by renowned percussionist James Hood on the hang drum and visual artist Zach Brown, who created two original pieces of art during Rivers’ oration. Adai Lamar from KJLH Radio, 102.3, served as the program master of ceremonies.
