To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Report Title: A Resolution Recognizing Patricia Durham for Her Longstanding Civic Service and Contributions to the Contra Costa Community
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
A Resolution Recognizing Patricia Durham for Her Longstanding Civic Service and Contributions to the Contra Costa Community
FISCAL IMPACT:
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BACKGROUND:
Patricia Durham has been a significant and valuable member of the El Cerrito Community for over five decades. She's served, organized, advocated, and engaged in the community through membership with St. Peter CME Church, the El Cerrito Branch of the NAACP, the El Cerrito Human Relations Commission, the El Cerrito Historical Society, and the El Cerrito High Archival Committee. And, Patricia has been involved in El Cerrito celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. since their inception in 1986
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
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The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING PATRICIA DURHAM FOR HER LONGSTANDING CIVIC SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CONTRA COSTA COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, Patricia Durham, a lifelong resident of El Cerrito, has dedicated more than five decades to serving and strengthening her community through civic engagement, leadership, and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Durham has been an active member of St. Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church, the El Cerrito Branch of the NAACP, the El Cerrito Human Relations Commission, the El Cerrito Historical Society, and the El Cerrito High School Archival Committee; and
WHEREAS, through her work with St. Peter C.M.E. Church, including her involvement with the Naomi Circle, Ms. Durham supported the development of religious education and Black History programs highlighting the teachings and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Durham has played a key role in organizing and supporting the City of El Cerrito’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration since its founding in 1986 (which was the first annual MLK event in Contra Costa County), serving as Chair of the event beginning in 2005 and continuing to support its success; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Durham served as Chair of the El Cerrito Human Relations Commission from 2005 to 2015 and helped advance initiatives such as the City’s “Not In Our Town” anti-hate campaign and other programs promoting cultural understanding and opposing race-based hate; and
WHEREAS, through her involvement with the El Cerrito NAACP and the El Cerrito Historical Society, Ms. Durham has helped elevate the voices and history of Black residents, supported community dialogue on vital civic issues, and contributed to documenting the local history of El Cerrito, including the development of a documentary on the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration and parade;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors hereby recognizes Patricia Durham for her decades of impactful service and leadership and commends her for her lasting significant contributions to the Contra Costa County community.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California, on this 11 day of March, 2026.