Three from CSUSB to be honored at annual MLK Jr. Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 16

UPDATED to reflect that the awards were given on Jan. 16, 2016.

Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales, Vice President of Student Affairs Brian Haynes and psychology Professor Jean Peacock — dubbed the “Cal State Dynamic Trio”— were honored by Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches at its 37^th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast.

The event took place at CSUSB’s Coussoulis Arena on Monday, Jan. 16, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Morales, Haynes and Peacock were honored with the IECAAC’s Public Servant award.

“This award denotes one who endeavors to deliver outstanding public service through diligent commitment, even in the face of adversity, producing results that are favorable for our community,” the IEAAC said.

Following the breakfast was followed by the traditional rally around the Martin Luther King Jr. statue at San Bernardino City Hall, 300 North D St.

King, who was killed by an assassin's bullet on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn., was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights movement. He was elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, the organization responsible for the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott from 1955 to 1956.

He was arrested 30 times for his participation in civil rights activities. Founder and president of Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1957 to 1968, King was also vice president of the national Sunday School and Baptist Teaching Union Congress of the National Baptist Convention.

In addition to his civil rights work, King is most noted for his 'I Have a Dream' speech at the March on Washington in 1963, his acceptance speech of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, his last sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, and his final speech in Memphis ('I've been to the mountaintop …').

His 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' ranks among the most important documents of the American Civil Rights movement.

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