In the Spirit of MLK

Patricia Durham is surrounded by friends and family after being named to the El Cerrito Wall of Fame.

One day after the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration in El Cerrito, the event’s long-time organizer was celebrated in her own right.

Patricia Durham, who has been involved in planning and coordinating of celebrations of MLK Jr. since they began in 1986, was inducted into the El Cerrito Wall of Fame.

Police Chief Paul Keith said he first met Pat Durham when he was a young cop and she invited him to the Good Friday Prayer Breakfast at her church, St. Peter CME. By his second year attending the breakfast, he was on a first-name basis with Pat.

“As long as I’ve known her she’s been supporting and celebrating diversity and equality,” he said.

Supervisor John Gioia said “There is nobody in El Cerrito who has uplifted the history of the African American community in this city more than Pat."

Former Mayor Letitia Moore said Durham is an extraordinary volunteer who motivates others to join her. "She is constantly stepping forward...She represents what is great about El Cerrito, what is special about who we are and what we do, and I hope it will always be that way."

As chair of the Human Relations Commission, Pat Durham was instrumental in developing the “Not in our Town” campaign against race based hate. With the El Cerrito chapter of the NAACP and the El Cerrito Historical Society, she’s worked to bring recognition of concerns and contributions of Black El Cerrito residents.

"I am truly grateful to be recognized by such a special and distinguished city," Durham said after being named to the Wall of Fame. "It's my city, and you all belong to me. When I look back on those many decades of love and hard work I see faces, special faces...I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of my journey."

This year’s parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day attracted hundreds of people who met at City Hall and marched on San Pablo Avenue, up Moeser Lane, and along Ashbury Avenue to El Cerrito High School, for a program of music, awards, and discussion. This year's theme was "Mission Possible."

The parade moves up Moeser Lane.

An El Cerrito family is followed by the Contra Costa chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League.

Friendly people honor Martin Luther King Jr. with signs like, "Love is the most durable power in the world."