West Contra Costa County is preparing for a powerful series of events to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., transforming the holiday into a true “day on” for the community.
El Cerrito parade
Among the events is the 37th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in El Cerrito on Monday, Jan. 19. Participants will gather at El Cerrito City Hall at 10890 San Pablo Ave. for a 9 a.m. rally, followed by a 10 a.m. parade down San Pablo Avenue to the El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theatre.
At 11 a.m., the program moves indoors for a keynote address by WCCUSD Superintendent Cheryl Cotton. This free event, sponsored by the City of El Cerrito and local partners like the NAACP and St. Peter CME Church, remains the longest continually running MLK celebration in California.
Parchester Park
In Richmond, the MLK Day of Service at Parchester Park offers a hands-on way to give back on Monday, Jan. 19. From 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., volunteers will gather at 900 Williams Drive to beautify the park and the Mary Peace Head Memorial Garden. Organized by the City of Richmond and the Parchester Village Neighborhood Council, the work includes installing new planter boxes and clearing debris. After the work is done, a community celebration and complimentary lunch will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to honor Dr. King’s legacy of service.
Richmond Greenway
Further south, the 19th Annual MLK Jr. National Day of Service takes place along the Richmond Greenway Trail. Starting at 9 a.m., volunteers will head to project locations, such as the stretch between 7th and 8th Streets, to participate in urban greening, trail maintenance, and art projects. Hosted by Urban Tilth and the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, the effort culminates in a vibrant community celebration on the Greenway from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring environmental education and a resource fair for all ages.
Shields-Reid Park
For those in North Richmond, The Watershed Project is hosting a restoration event at the newly renovated Shields-Reid Park on Monday, Jan. 19. Located at 1410 Kelsey Street, the event begins at 9:30 a.m. with a native herbs workshop followed by a planting session and park cleanup until 12:00 p.m. Residents who want to start their service early can join the El Sobrante Green Team on Saturday, January 17. Volunteers will meet at the El Sobrante Public Library at 4191 Appian Way at 10:00 a.m. to borrow safety equipment and spend two hours cleaning up local sites.
Richmond City Hall
The Bay Area Unity Vigil will be held Monday from 2-3 p.m. at Richmond City Hall (440 Civic Center Plaza). Organized by the Freedmen Federation and Faith In Action East Bay, this multicultural gathering protests the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good by federal agents and local officer-involved shootings in 2025. Through prayers, songs, and poetry, community leaders and families will advocate for nonviolence and demand that local schools and neighborhoods remain safe zones free from federal enforcement.
Board of Supervisors
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the focus shifts to Martinez for the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors’ 48th Annual MLK Celebration. Starting at 11 a.m. at the County Administration Building at 1025 Escobar St., the hour-long ceremony will honor Gaby Ghorbani (Adult Humanitarian) and Yenell Elena Velazquez (Student Humanitarian).