Families, friends and Pasadena residents attended a memorial service for Ralph McKnight, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Kitty McKnight listens to speakers as they share their memories about her husband, Ralph Mcknight, during his memorial service, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Alvaro Sanchez, left, and Erika Lang attend a memorial service for Ralph McKnight, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Pictures of Ralph McKnight were displayed at his memorial service, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Congressman Adam Schiff, left, talks to community activist, Marvin Schachter, before a memorial service for Ralph McKnight, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Local jazz artist, Billy Mitchell, performs after a memorial service for Ralph McKnight, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Speakers wait on the side before sharing their fond memories about Ralph McKnight during his memorial service, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Ralph McKnight, Jr. speaks at his father’s memorial service, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. Ralph was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Sona Paparian, left, and her husband, William, attend a memorial service for Ralph McKnight, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Helen Farley, from left, and her sisters, Hatheway Hasler and Marylois Nevins talk to Congressman Adam Schiff before a memorial service for Ralph McKnight, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Adam Carter attends a memorial service for Ralph McKnight, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Community activist, Marvin Schachter, left, talks to Congressman Adam Schiff before a memorial service for Ralph McKnight, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Children of Ralph McKnight, Ralph, Jr., from left, Kareim, and Mark speak at their father’s memorial service, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. McKnight was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)
Kitty McKnight, center, and others attend her husband’s memorial service, which took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena on Friday, August 12, 2011. Ralph was a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who held roles in local Democratic Party groups and co-founded organizations such as the Black Males Forum. He was 78 when he died on July 19 at his home in Pasadena. (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer)