Labor and Community Leaders Honor MLK’s Legacy at Event in San Francisco

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, SAG-AFTRA members and Local union staff gathered with around 400 union, civic and business leaders at the NorcalMLK Foundation’s annual MLK Labor and Community Breakfast, co-hosted with the San Francisco Labor Council, and held at the Intercontinental Hotel in the City’s SoMa neighborhood.  

The sold-out Jan. 16 event included a special appearance by Chistine Pelosi, who accepted the Foundation’s Willie B. Kennedy Civic Service Award on behalf of her mother, Nancy Pelosi.  Congresswoman Pelosi could not attend the breakfast, as she was celebrating the national MLK holiday in Washington, D.C., so she sent a special video taped message to attendees. In it, the congresswoman expressed her gratitude at being chosen for the award, which honors those whose service positively impacts the community. The award itself has a unique connection to SAG-AFTRA, as it was first given in 2015 to the legendary and pioneering retired journalist and SAG-AFTRA member, Belva Davis. 

In addition to the award’s presentation, attendees also heard from such notable speakers as California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, NorcalMLK Foundation's Aaron Grizzell and S.F. Labor Council Executive Director Kim Tavaglione. The breakfast also brought out members and representatives from around 38 different unions and guilds, providing SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local President Kathryn Howell, Vice President Janet Dyer and Recording Secretary Marie Shell the ability to fellowship and renew ties of solidarity with other labor members. For Dyer, the event also represented an opportunity to remember Dr. King and to honor his legacy of support for equity and the labor movement.

“SAG-AFTRA knows that diversity is key, both in organized labor and the film industry,” explained Dyer. “It was a lovely event with extremely powerful speeches that were meaningful and informative.”

The S.F. Labor Council has co-hosted the breakfast for around 20 years, with representatives from SAG-AFTRA frequently in attendance. 

Photo: From left, SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local President Kathryn Howell; Recording Secretary Marie Shell; National Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy Kerri Wood Einertson; Business Representative Jen Mistrot.