DOZENS OF ANTIOCH RESIDENTS came together to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy recently with hands-on service projects, including the Antioch Skatepark Restoration Project and Senior Engagement activities at the Antioch Community Center.
Volunteers of all ages helped remove graffiti, restore benches, participate in art activities, and share conversations across generations, creating a sense of unity and community pride.
Denice Simpson, an adult volunteer at the skatepark on Lone Tree Way in Antioch, said that participating in service events on MLK Day was meaningful because it brought together diverse members of the community. “The diversity, seeing people of all ages, of all colors, of all backgrounds coming together — that was one of his fights, was the equality,” Simpson said. “So seeing the community make our city better, that’s awesome.”
Simpson, who has volunteered for the past 12 years, added that teaching younger volunteers about the community and King’s legacy is part of the experience.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader who became a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination on April 4, 1968. He advocated for equal rights and justice for African Americans and other marginalized groups through nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. King played a leading role in historic events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Birmingham campaign, and the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, inspiring a generation to fight for racial equality.
In the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed annually on the third Monday in January to honor his life and accomplishments. Established as a federal holiday in 1983 and first observed nationwide in 1986, the day encourages reflection on King’s principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change.
In addition to marches and speeches, many communities mark the holiday with volunteer service projects, reflecting the idea that honoring King includes actions to improve and strengthen local communities.
Alex Ibanez, an 11th grader at Dozier-Libbey Medical High School in Antioch, also reflected on the day’s significance.
“It means that I’m able to honor his dream by helping my community prosper,” he said. “It feels good because I get to see the people I like, form a community with.” Ibanez particularly enjoyed the painting activities at the skatepark, which gave him a sense of accomplishment and connection with other participants.
Antioch Recreation Programs Coordinator La’Nae Jackson emphasized the importance of offering a designated space for the city’s diverse community to come together.
“Contributing to your city matters more than anything,” Jackson said. “People get to walk by and feel the sense of, ‘I was a part of that.’ My home is a place where I’ve really contributed to it.” She also noted that the multigenerational participation, from elementary students to seniors, adds depth to the community experience.
Part of ‘something bigger’
During the Senior Engagement activities at the Antioch Community Center — just down the road from the skatepark — participants created art projects, shared lunch, and had meaningful conversations with younger volunteers. And they enjoyed listening to student musicians from Deer Valley High School.
Staff member Ariella Wright described the importance of connecting generations. “It’s cool to see everybody working side by side and having fun while helping out,” Wright said. “You meet a lot of different people, a lot of different personalities. … It’s always fun to just meet new people and feel like you’re part of something bigger.” She added that giving back in this way honors King’s vision of unity and service.
Liam Simpson, one of the city’s seniors (soon to be 90!) who enjoys a weekly game of bingo at the community center, said MLK Day “brings back some of the things that should have been done in this country a long time ago.” The 20-year military veteran said King “was the only person that really spoke out, not necessarily for Blacks, but for everybody.”
Simpson said that King “didn’t represent the Black culture, he represented every culture. … Celebrating his birthday is not just for the Black community, (it’s) for the Asian community, the Native American community, everybody. And that’s what he stood for.”
Vi Nguyen is an 11th grader at Dozier-Libbey Medical High School in Antioch and a CCYJ reporter. This story originally appeared in CCSpin.