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1) Approval of the History & Education Ad Hoc Subcommittee Recommendations for the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, With Any Adjustments 2) Approval to Pursue an Educational Scholarship Partnership with the Culver City Educational Foundation

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Meeting Date:  November 18, 2026

Contact Person/Dept:  Adam Troy/ ACM Economic Development, Vitality and Equity

Phone Number:  (310) 253-6011

Fiscal Impact:  Yes []    No [X]                                                                General Fund:  Yes []     No []

Public Hearing:  []                               Action Item:                     [X]          Attachments:  Yes []     No []

Public Notification:  (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (11/13/2026); (E-mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (11/13/2025)

Department Approval:  Tomás Herrera-Mishler, PRCS Director (11/12/2025)

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RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee 1) Approval of the History & Education Ad Hoc Subcommittee Recommendations for the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, With Any Adjustments 2) Pursue an Educational Scholarship Partnership with the Culver City Educational Foundation

BACKGROUND

The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee provides input on the planning and development of the City's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

An important component of the celebration is educating the community about Dr. King's life, legacy, and continued influence on civil rights, equality, and social justice. Incorporating historical and educational elements into the event provides opportunities for attendees to reflect on Dr. King's teachings while connecting his message to present-day issues and community engagement.

As part of the planning process for the 2027 celebration, the History and Education Ad Hoc Subcommittee discussed several opportunities to strengthen the educational experience, including historical presentations, visual displays, speaker engagement, and the establishment of an educational scholarship.

Advisory Committee Ad Hoc Subcommittees

An “ad hoc” subcommittee serves only a limited or single purpose. It is not perpetual, and it is dissolved when its specific task is completed. An Ad Hoc Subcommittee may be formed or dissolved at any Commission meeting, as long as the discussion has been placed on the Agenda in advance. Once an Ad Hoc Subcommittee has been created, updates are typically given by Members. By consensus of the Commission, a separate Agenda Item is sometimes prepared and presented on a specific Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s topic or event.

The role of the History & Culture for Juneteenth and MLK Celebrations Ad Hoc Sub Committees is determined by the Advisory Committee. As with all committees the History & Culture Ad Hoc Subcommittees must act with the oversight of the City Staff and Officials.

DISCUSSION

The History and Education Ad Hoc Subcommittee identified several historical and educational components for consideration and approval by the Committee. These recommendations are intended to enhance the overall celebration by creating opportunities for attendees to engage in Dr. King's legacy throughout the event.

Historical and Educational Programming

The Subcommittee emphasized the importance of maintaining Dr. King's presence throughout the celebration through visual and audio elements highlighting his life, speeches, and teachings.

The Subcommittee's recommendations include:

•                     Dr. King Visual and Audio Presentations: Incorporating historical footage, photographs, and/or recordings of Dr. King to provide attendees with a direct connection to his legacy.

•                     Continuous Video Presentation: Displaying a loop of Dr. King's speeches, historical footage, or other educational content on event screens as attendees arrive and depart.

•                     Speaker Discussion Prompts: Developing suggested discussion topics or prompts for guest speakers to encourage remarks that reflect Dr. King's teachings and connect his legacy to contemporary issues.

•                     Dr. King Quote Displays: Creating foam board displays featuring selected quotes from Dr. King that align with the values and accomplishments of the Champion Award recipients. These displays would serve as a visual connection between Dr. King's legacy and the individuals being recognized for their contributions to the community.

These elements would provide educational opportunities beyond the scheduled program and reinforce the significance of Dr. King's message throughout the celebration.

Educational Scholarship and Partnership

Staff recommend exploring the establishment of an educational scholarship as part of the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration to further emphasize the importance of education and community advancement, consistent with Dr. King's legacy.

Staff proposes an initial scholarship amount of $250 and suggests partnering with the Culver City Educational Foundation to assist with administering the scholarship.

The proposed partnership would require further coordination to establish the scholarship's purpose, eligibility criteria, selection process, funding, and distribution of funds.

To ensure clear expectations and responsibilities, staff recommends developing a letter of agreement between the Advisory Committee, and the Culver City Educational Foundation. The agreement would outline the responsibilities of each party, scholarship administration, and any applicable financial or reporting requirements.

Staff requests the Committee's approval to pursue the proposed scholarship and partnership with the Culver City Educational Foundation. Approval would allow staff to initiate discussions, explore the partnership's feasibility, and begin developing the scholarship program, subject to available funding and applicable City procedures and approvals.

Implementation and Coordination

Staff will evaluate the approved historical and educational components based on available resources, production capabilities, costs, and event logistics. This includes coordinating audiovisual materials, developing educational displays, and working with potential partners to support the celebration's educational objectives.

Given the approaching event dates and the time required to coordinate audiovisual materials, educational displays, and potential partnerships, staff recommends that the Committee approve the History and Education Ad Hoc Subcommittee's proposed recommendations and authorize staff to move forward with implementation, subject to available resources, funding, and applicable City procedures.

FISCAL IMPACT

None

ATTACHMENTS

None

MOTIONS

That the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee:

1) Approval of the History & Education Ad Hoc Subcommittee Recommendations for the 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, With Any Adjustments 2) Pursue an Educational Scholarship Partnership with the Culver City Educational Foundation.