The committee highlighted the fact that the civil rights movement not only made great strides for African Americans, but it was the building block for access and inclusion, for all disenfranchised and underrepresented people in this country, including; Women, LGBTQ, Immigrants and the Disabled community. The committee celebrated all those that have gained achievements through the Civil Rights Movement.

The awards ceremony showcased two guest speakers, Kesau’c Hill and Anyla Dios McDonald. Poet, Community Activist, and author of “Serengeti Noise,” Kesau’c Hill provided a riveting spoken word message. Seventeen-year-old student, and author Anyla Dior McDonald shared excerpts from her captivating book “Black Joy and Black Tribulations.” Each of these authors highlighted the triumphs and struggles faced by all who benefitted from the Civil Rights Movement.  

The highlight of the event was the awarding of the $500.00 Scholarships to deserving students. The recipients of the awards were a group of deserving students from our schools. Of the recpieints, only one student, Marcus, won the $1000 Jim and Ethel Johnson Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to the student whose essay was particularly though provoking and inspiring and was named after the founder of the organization and her husband who sought to ensure disfranchised students had a path to fulfill their hopes and dreams. 

The African American Heritage Committee is grateful to SEIU Local 99 and the California Credit Union for their financial contributions towards the scholarships.

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The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is the nation's largest regional education agency. LACOE supports and protects the education and well-being of LA County's nearly two million children through an equity lens. For more information, visit www.lacoe.edu.