Orange County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares was recently recognized for his educational leadership by the Black Chamber of Orange County, which presented him with this year’s Distinguished Service Award.
Mijares received the honor on Aug. 23 at the organization’s 27th annual banquet, “The Black Chamber Blues Session.”
“I feel especially blessed because the chamber is an organization whose mission is aligned with ours regarding the critical importance of advocacy to promote self-determination,” said Dr. Mijares, who was appointed as superintendent in August 2012 and elected to a full term in 2014. “That is the goal of education — to enlighten the mind so that it liberates the student.”
Held at the City National Grove of Anaheim, the banquet celebrated a handful of visionary leaders in the county. Along with Mijares, Irvine Valley College President Dr. Glenn Roquemore, Santa Ana College President Dr. Linda Rose and former banking executive and U.S. Air Force veteran Harold Hutchison were presented with 2018 Community Service Awards.
“At the chamber we are truly excited to recognize distinguished perennial community leaders that played a meaningful and important role as ground breakers and who have made a significant impact in Orange County’s business, education and veteran leadership development,” said Bobby McDonald, Executive Director of the Black Chamber.
The OC Black Chamber promotes black business and economic development within the public and private sectors. The organization also sponsors the Black Chamber Education Fund, providing guidance, educational programs and scholarships to local youth and military veterans.
This year’s banquet featured dinner, a silent auction and music by the Charles Owens Big Band and vocalist Barbara Morrison.