Events
Richmond celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, January 19, with a day of service offering volunteer opportunities along the Richmond Greenway and in Parchester Village.
Dr. King, who visited Richmond twice in the 1960s — the final time just a month before his assassination in 1968 — left an indelible mark on the city, promoting civil rights and education in the community. While in Richmond, King met with Rev. Booker T. Anderson and other leaders, hoping to gain their help in bolstering the Civil Rights movement on the West Coast.
Despite his young age at the time, Rev. Anderson's son, Ahmad, remembers Dr. King's visits well.
"He came to Richmond," Anderson said. "He came to my house, he and Abernathy, and Jesse; they were there at 1131 South 55th Street. Not everybody in Richmond can say that."
Not only did the younger Anderson meet with Dr. King in his own home, but both his parents would go on to serve as mayors of Richmond, carrying King's vision and spirit in much of their work.
Former Richmond Mayor Irma Anderson has died
Former Richmond Mayor Irma Anderson has died. Anderson was the fourth elected mayor of Richmond and the first female Black mayor. She was 93. A Richmond City Councilmember from 1993 through 2000, Anderson was the first Black woman to serve on the City Council. Anderson earned a BSN from Cornell
Linda Hemmila
"He [King] came in '61, and he came again months before he was assassinated as well, so you know, I was much older then, and could truly appreciate what was going on in the world," Anderson said. "I was an eight-year-old kid when Martin died, and I watched my father cry for the first time."
Anderson said those early meetings with King impressed on him the importance of building equity and fairness in the community.
"It led me to where I am today, my exposure to Martin through his relationship with my father at a very young age really impressed on me the importance of community and understanding, and my sense of equity in America," Anderson said.
In Richmond and throughout Contra Costa County, annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events have always held a special significance.
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is always important in Contra Costa, where we work to foster a culture of equity, tolerance, and service.
"Participating in a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event is a powerful way to express our support for democratic values, equity, tolerance, love, service, and justice. I love joining my fellow community members in our neighborhoods, where we work together to achieve Dr. King's vision," Gioia said.
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