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City leaders, community members, and others joined together at the Community College of Aurora (CCA) in a celebratory luncheon on Monday to honor the impactful work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his pursuit of civil rights and racial equality.
The luncheon, themed “Together We Rise: A Celebration of Inclusion and Unity,” was jointly hosted by CCA, the Aurora Police Department (APD), and the City of Aurora.
Each year, the community gathers to honor Dr. King’s legacy by reflecting on his work to build up communities through peaceful activism and encouraging others to do the same in their own communities.
CCA President Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee offered his remarks on the theme of the luncheon, highlighting CCA’s important work in creating a culture of inclusion as Colorado’s most diverse college. Beyond that statistic, CCA employs numerous practices to ensure that the educational and personal needs of its students, staff, and faculty are met, including various identity groups, outreach programs, inclusive educational services, and more.
The event’s keynote speaker, Pastor Charles Gilford, spoke on the role the community plays in creating an inclusive environment, challenging people to embrace those ideals through understanding, empathy, embracing differences, and love.
In an effort to recognize those in the CCA community and beyond, several awards and scholarships were presented to individuals who exemplify Dr. King’s vision.
APD leaders bestowed the 2025 Community Champion Awards to several members of its organization. Each recipient was recognized as a leader for strengthening the bond between the APD and the community it serves. Recipients included: Brandon Wright, Judith Padilla, Ofc. Jim Seneca, Lt. Lonnie Eddy, Ofc. Andres Cardenas, and Ofc. Lonnie Crump. Each of these individuals works within the community, fostering a trusting and respectful environment that strengthens the connections between them.
CCA awarded the Spirit of King Awards to students, faculty, and staff who demonstrate commitment to leadership, education, advocacy, and community. Recipients included: April Stewart, Erik Quintana-Lira, and Adrianna Sanchez-Lopez.
Finally, the CCA Foundation awarded the 2025 MLK Scholarship to students who are active in their communities, embrace and celebrate diversity, and strive to educate and empower others to adopt the principles of freedom, non-violence, and unity. The scholarship recipients were Alexandrea Diel, Noorani Sediq, and Darious “D” Kendrick.
CCA leaders closed the event by encouraging attendees to carry Dr. King’s work forward by championing unity and inclusion in their communities.
To view highlights and photos from the event, click HERE.