Second Baptist Pastor William S. Epps poses with some of the bikers who united with the church for the Dr. King celebration, to pray for community healing and sponsor COVID-19 testing for community members. (Courtesy photo)

Second Baptist Church joined with the Inner City Cycling Connection (ICCC) to mark the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and pray for healing in African American communities throughout Los Angeles.

An hour-long prayer session, led by Second Baptist Pastor William S. Epps, kicked-off the event, which also featured participation by more than 50 cyclists. Also, community members could take advantage of free testing for COVID-19.

According to a statement issued by ICCC, the group’s members “cycle through a city where the neighborhoods have changed just like the terrain, we push and pedal towards the mountain top…we have our eyes set on the promise land and every muscle we burn, we are assured and filled with hope [that] the day of equality and justice are not just a dream. We pray for the courage to continue to stand up for justice, reconciliation and truth.”

In addition to Second Baptist and ICCC, sponsors included the PacGeomics Clinical Genetic Laboratory, PSC Gateway Consultancy Firm, Nappywood, Artistry of Sheila Martin, Healthy African American Families, Ride On and Recycling Black Dollars.