More than 300 attendees were at the Veterans Memorial Theatre, 203 E. 14th St., to watch several keynote speakers, including School Counselor and Licensed Therapist Camica Edwards Avorgbedor of Davis Joint Unified School District. Photo courtesy of the City of Davis

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Martin Luther King Junior, born Jan. 15, 1929, is a prolific civil rights activist recognized for his leadership and commitment to social justice through nonviolent means.

Tragically, the civil rights legend lost his life to an assassin on April 4, 1968. The third Monday of every January is now dedicated to King’s sacrifice. 

On Jan. 20, several Solano and Yolo County-based organizations hosted events to honor King’s contributions to equality and the common good.

In Vacaville, the Solano Brewing Co., 5500 Weber Road., recognized the holiday but was not the only organization to do so. The Vacaville People’s Forum held its fifth annual MLK Day Celebration from 12 to 2 p.m. The free event at Sunrise Banquet Hall, 620 Orange Drive, had live music, dance performances, local vendors, a community resource table and appetizers provided by From Scratch with Love Catering. The event saw several featured speakers, including author Crystal Patterson, board member of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, Dr. Nikki Parr and Charleston Brown, the Will C. Wood High School principal.

The City of Davis also held its 31st annual MLK Jr. Celebration at the Veterans Memorial Theatre, 203 E. 14th St. The free community event, hosted by the City of Davis and the Human Relations Commission, invited attendees to explore an art exhibit crafted by local high school students for their ethnic studies program. From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., attendees enjoyed speeches and performances from local activists, poets and speakers, while also having access to the Yolo County Library Bookmobile. This year’s theme is “Economic Justice & the Dream; Building a Fair and Inclusive Economy.” At 11:45 a.m., the event concluded with a march from Veterans Memorial Theatre to Central Park.

“This annual event gives us the chance to come together and recognize the profound contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Davis Mayor Bapu Vaitla. “I take pride in being part of a community that champions equality and promotes inclusive opportunities for all.”

UC Davis Law School also held its sixth annual MLK Day of Service and Celebration in King Hall, 400 Mrak Hall Drive. The free event included lunch, a noontime celebration, a blood drive, community service projects, a donation drive benefitting Umoja International Academy, and remarks from Dean Jessica Berg and the Black Law Student Association President Jessica Hale. Associate Justice of the Third District Court of Appeals Stacy Boulware Eurie delivered the keynote address.