BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that life’s most persistent and urgent question is “What are you doing to help others?”
In central Bakersfield, people from across Kern County came together to honor those who are helping the community and uphold Dr. King’s legacy.
In keeping with tradition, MLK Day in Bakersfield started with a well-attended breakfast at the MLK Center in southeast Bakersfield.
“It was a fantastic breakfast. Good food … giving credit where credit is due were icons and community leaders are have they have put the work in and acknowledging them for the work they have put in,” said youth coordinator Sunni Crawford.
The Kern Dr. Martin Luther King Jr committee held their annual community breakfast Monday morning filling a large gymnasium with community members and local leaders.
The committee began hosting the breakfast 30 years ago and each year honors members of the Golden Empire who are committed to the spirit of Dr King’s legacy.
“I think today is a benefit to support and to bring acknowledgment to his legacy because it takes a strong heart. And he did something for everybody,” Crawford said.
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After breakfast catered by Hodel’s Country Dining, the committee honored nine community members for faithful years of service in education, civil rights and volunteering. Some of the recipients included CSUB President Dr. Vernon B Harper Jr., Dr. Tommy Tunson of Bakersfield College and Rev. Ralph Anthony.
Another one of those honorees, president of the NAACP of Bakersfield, Patrick Jackson, shares his thoughts on receiving an award.
“It was definitely humbling and a huge honor. So many people that do so many things in our community. And to be one of the ones that was selected of the many people that could have been selected is definitely a humbling honor.”
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Later in the afternoon, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church became the site of laughter, singing and dancing as the parishioners and guests gathered to march down Oswell Street.
One attendee shares what she hoped attendees took away from the march.
“I just feel like that everyone needs to feel inspired. Take inspiration from this. Take inspiration and live your life. Live inspired and pay it forwarded to someone else. I’m just glad Bakersfield came out to do something,” said Monique Johnson.
After the march, many congregated at the Church of God church for a MLK Day service and to continue to honor the trailblazer that paved the way for so many in the community.
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