Teen to Be Honored for Embracing King’s Dream

As churches, community groups and municipalities pause Monday to commemorate the life and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Julie Boyd will be honored for living out the slain civil rights leader’s principle of serving humanity.

The 16-year-old junior at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, who dreams of becoming a minister or an actress, or both, will receive the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council’s Mayor Tom Bradley Award for community service at its 13th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

Julie, nominated for the award by her youth minister at Northridge United Methodist Church, was selected by the Interfaith Council for her volunteer work with Peers Educating Peers Los Angeles, a youth HIV-AIDS education program, and participation in Junior States of America, an organization that promotes political awareness among teens.

Julie is an honor student and a member of the school band and drama club. She also took classes at Pierce College in the fall.

Although Julie was not yet born when the Baptist preacher was killed April 4, 1968, she said she embraces King’s message of racial harmony achieved through nonviolent protest.

“I am happy to know that we had such a great leader who stood for nonviolence,” she said. “That’s something I believe in.”

Julie said she also admires King for his vision of a society where people “will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

“I have many friends of different colors,” she said, adding, “I try my best to help people and to try to bring people together.”

The Interfaith Council’s ecumenical program, “Making His Dream a Reality in Our Valley,” will feature an interfaith choir, readings from sacred texts and a keynote address by Glenn H. Stassen, professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena.

The program, which is free to the public, begins at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 4832 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood. For information, call Dyanne Castile-Hendrix at (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3002.

Commemorative programs are also planned in the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys to mark what would have been King’s 72nd birthday:

* Lancaster will present the city’s 12th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration, “Live the Vision,” at 4 p.m. Sunday at Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W. Lancaster Blvd.

The multicultural event will feature a gospel choir performance, student essay readings, remarks by community leaders and a keynote address by Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley.

The Antelope Valley Human Relations Task Force and other community organizations will sponsor a voter registration drive at the event. Admission is free. For information, call Bert Perry at (661) 723-6014.

* The Gospel Hummingbirds will perform their unique blend of gospel, blues and rock music at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Palmdale Playhouse, 38334 10th St. E.

Admission is $12 general, $10 for seniors, students and military personnel, and $8 for children 12 and younger.

For information, call the box office at (661) 267-5685 or (661) 267-ARTS for 24-hour recorded information.

* Clergy, congregants and community leaders will gather for the eighth annual Santa Clarita Interfaith Council’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at 7 p.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 24443 McBean Parkway, Valencia.

Jim Ventress, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita, will give the keynote address.

Admission is free. For information, call Gary Condie at (661) 257-2900.