Cesar Chavez Celebration

Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of César Chávez in 2026

Los Medanos College (LMC) is pleased to announce the 2026 César Chávez awards: Honoring a Legacy Awards Celebration. Reception ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3 in the Student Union Conference Center, 2700 E. Leland Road.

This event celebrates the life of labor leader and human rights activist César Chávez and recognizes East Contra Costa County community members who follow his example of service, activism, and non-violent social change. 

 Values of César Chávez

  • Service to Others:  Empowering individuals by engendering self-determination, self-sufficiency and self-help, rather than charity.
  • Sacrifice:  Recognizing the obligation every individual has to contribute to their community, despite having to endure great hardship.
  • Help the Most Needy:  Supporting efforts to reach those in need, those dispossessed, and those most forgotten individuals.
  • Determination:  Instilling an attitude that through steadfast commitment, patience, and optimism, people can overcome great adversity. 
  • Non-violence:  Achieving social and economic justice and equality through bold and courageous action.
  • Tolerance:  Promoting and supporting ethnic and cultural diversity as a means toward informing and strengthening communities.
  • Respect for Life:  Holding land, people, and all other forms of life in the highest regard.
  • Celebrating Community:  Sharing expressions of cultural identity through art, song and dance.
  • Knowledge:  Pursuing self-directed learning, the development of critical thinking, and constructive problem-solving.
  • Innovation:  Creating strategies and tactics to resolve problems and situations that often seem insurmountable.

Cesar Chavez Award Categories:

  • César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service

    The César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service is presented to a local resident who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service and who best represents the core values modeled by César Chávez: Service to Others, Sacrifice, Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge, and Innovation.

  • East County Educator Award 

    The César Chávez East County Educator Award recognizes a member of the educational community who demonstrates the qualities of César Chávez and a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for students of color and those from low-income families.

  • Chávez Spirit Award 

    The César Chávez Spirit Award is given to an emerging/student leader who embodies the spirit of César Chávez and, within the last year, has made a significant impact on the local community in the areas of advocacy and social justice.

 

Nominate them today!

 

2025 Honorees

César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service

  • Dulce Bernal – Community Volunteer
  • Roxanne Carrillo Garza – Senior Director of Healthy Contra Costa

East County Educator Award 

  • Lidia Fernandez – Student & Family Engagement Specialist at Oakley Union Elementary School District
  • Leticia Preciado Gomez – Districtwide Parent & Family Coordinator at Pittsburg Unified School District

Chávez Spirit Award 

  • Morelia Gil Cubillo – Student Leader at Antioch High School
  • Guadalupe Gama Gomez – Student Leader at Los Medanos College