King’s daughter to honor L.B. MLK Center founders

Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will speak on the theme of “A Hope and a Future: Empowering the community with courage, dignity, truth and justice” in front of eager ears on June 13.

The Long Beach Martin Luther King Center, Inc. is hosting an awards dinner and fundraiser at Bridgeview Yacht Club from 6 to 10 p.m. All of the proceeds will benefit the center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the wellbeing of Long Beach children and their families.

The event will honor some of the founders of the original Martin Luther King Center that was created in 1967, including Jacquetta Odom, John H. Simpkins and Judge Roy Tepper.

“We appreciate those that have helped start us off,” said James Hodge, MLK Center board chairman. “It’s an amazing honor to have [King’s] daughter coming to support an organization here in Long Beach.”

The fundraiser will offer entertainment, too. Members of the center will recite poetry and the words of King himself.

“We’re thrilled to have a national speaker and a powerful order such as Ms. Bernice King,” said Long Beach City Councilwoman Anissa Moore. “The fact that she's continuing her father’s legacy means so much to us. Her entire focus has been on youth empowerment and community building, and that’s exactly what the MLK Center — along with the Long Beach community — has tried to do over the years,” Moore said.

Hodge said he hopes for a large turnout so that the center can work towards setting up new programs for the community’s youth.

“The work that we’ve been doing in Long Beach is truly amazing,” he said. “The center serves as a safe haven for children to stay off the street, offer them help with homework and much more,” Hodge said, noting that the school district teams up with the center to provide as many resources to students as possible.

“It’s a great opportunity for us as city to recognize the unsung heroes in the North Park community, as well as the greater Long Beach community,” Moore said. “This is a great way to bring everyone together and really focus on the great accomplishments that have been made to feed racial and social harmony.”

“We want Bernice to see and appreciate the work that the MLK Center does,” Hodge said. “We are extremely happy that [she] accepted our invitation to be our keynote speaker, and we’re honored that she’s coming.”

Donations are $125. For more information, call (516) 889-6300, email the center at info@lbmlk.org or visit www.lbmlk.org.