A building envisioned 44 years ago, as one of southeastern San Diego’s only centers for education and arts, will take part in a projected $35 million renovation. San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) will host the Coretta Scott King Inaugural Benefit from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Educational Cultural Complex, 4343 Ocean View Blvd. Mayor Faulconer, community leaders and other elected officials are expected in attendance.

The brunch fundraiser will kick off a $35 million capital campaign to remodel the historic theatre inside of the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC). Tickets can be purchased for $100 and will include live entertainment and a southern style brunch.

Coretta Scott King Inaugural Benefit Program:

11:30 am | Welcome/Brunch catered by SDCE’s Culinary Arts Students

12:30 pm | Musical Performance by Award Winning Gospel Singer Daneen Wilburn

 12:40 pm | Program Speakers/Elected Officials

Laurie Coskey, Ed.D., Executive Director SDCE Foundation

Maria Nieto Senour, Ph.D., President, SDCCD Board of Trustees

Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D., SDCCD Chancellor

Carlos O. Turner Cortez, Ph.D., SDCE President

Mayor of the City of San Diego, Kevin Faulconer

Assembly Member Shirley Weber, Ph.D.

City Council President Georgette Gomez

                        City Council Member Monica Montgomery

1:15 pm | Moment of Silence/Honoring Living Legends

1:25 pm | Spoken Word Performance by Bry’onna Mann from Movement BE

1:30 pm | Coretta Scott King Lifetime Achievement Award

1:35 pm | Musical Performance/Closing

Mrs. King’s address at the Educational Cultural Complex in 1983, ultimately influenced the decision to sign the law creating the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. In addition to establishing the federal observance, many other significant events have ties to the campus, including performances by human right champions, Stevie Wonder and Maya Angelou.

To further this affluent history, SDCE’s Historic Preservation Committee is working with the city of San Diego and state officials to have ECC named as a Civil Rights Landmark Designation, the first step is the renovation of ECC’s historic theatre.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Councilmember Monica Montgomery, Assemblymember Shirley Weber, Council President Georgette Gómez, San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D., and members of the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees including President Maria Nieto Senour, Ph.D., are among the city’s Elected Officials and VIPs that will be in attendance.

Contact Dr. Laurie Coskey lcoskey@sdccd.edu for sponsorship opportunities.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.