Los Angeles, California–Korean Churches for Community Development (KCCD) President and CEO Hyepin Im received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Trailblazer Recognition Award here on January 30.

Hoover Intergenerational Care, Inc. hosted the 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Dr. Thomas Kilgore “Living the Dream” Intergenerational Tribute at the California African American Museum here.

Ms. Im was presented the award for “her work mobilizing Korean churches throughout the United States to become involved in the economic development process. As a Presidential Appointee, she was recognized for her contributions on a local, national and global level. Her leadership and community advocacy has brought harmony and cross-cultural awareness among the African American and Korean communities after the L.A. Civil Unrest in 1992.”

The event was co-sponsored by Senator Curren Price. It honored key leaders in the community who have blazed the trail in furthering the works of the late civil rights leader MLK, and Kilgore’s leadership.

Other honorees were L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Jackie Dupont-Walker from WEDC, and Gwen Green, a notable civil rights activist.

In accepting the award, Ms. Im said, “I am quite humbled and honored to receive this recognition. I truly believe in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King who said, ‘We must learn to live as brothers or perish as fools.’ I want to thank Levi Kingston and the Hoover Intergenerational Care for this award and for their friendship.”

She also announced the significance of the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the L.A. Riots on April 29 for this city. KCCD is partnering with key leaders with the SAIGU Campaign to revisit a tragic chapter in our city’s history “for the purpose of fostering understanding, unity, and empowerment,” she said.