On Jan. 24, 2025, the Black Student Unions of Tracy High School, Kimball High School, West High School, and the newly added Williams Middle School hosted the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast and accepted the Martin Luther King Image Award from representative Tiffany Dobson, who attended on behalf of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The breakfast featured keynote speakers Dr. Nancy Young, the former mayor of Tracy, and Azariah Cole-Shephard, the 2016 Oakland youth poet laureate and co-writer of the 2017 short film Down Lonely Avenue.
“This country would be nothing without bright African American minds,” Dr. Young said, highlighting the theme of education for this year’s event. She reminded the Black youth in the audience that “barriers are still being broken.”
Dr. Young encouraged attendees to shine bright enough to inspire others, emphasizing the importance of bringing someone else to the table when achieving success.
“What kind of village do I create for these children?” said Cole-Shephard, urging the audience to reflect on the kind of people they want the next generation to become.
The breakfast served a variety of foods, from mixed fruit and sausage to chicken and pancakes. With all the talking and socializing at the beginning of the event, the room fell nearly silent once attendees had full plates in front of them.
Silent auction baskets were also available, featuring merchandise from the three schools, a young reader book bundle, a barbecue set, stationery, and many other prizes.
The wider Tracy community came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while providing a space for the Tracy African American community to connect, network, and encourage youth to reach for the stars.
