Thorpe honors five residents with Key to the City during Unity and Healing Service
By Allen D. Payton
During Mayor Lamar Thorpe’s Unity and Healing Service held Thursday night, Nov. 30, five Antioch residents were awarded the Key to the City, Antioch’s highest honor.
Thorpe honored them “as symbols of unity in Antioch for others to emulate as we navigate a challenging period in our history.”
Held at the Antioch Community Center in Prewett Family Park, remarks were offered by the Rev. Kwang-il Kim of the Antioch United Methodist Church, Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid of Chabad of the Delta, and Instisar Malhi of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the mayor.
About the event and honorees Thorpe shared, “It’s not a secret that it’s been a tough year for Antioch and sadly it’s not over. However, as we navigate through the challenges, I’m guided by the belief that if we’re open-minded, moments from this past year will make our community better and stronger in the long run. I know this because every day, quiet voices in our city work to unite people around the idea of healing members of our community who are hurting. Right now, our city is hurting and as such it’s important that we stand in unity to begin the healing of our city.”
He listed and described the recipients and their contributions to Antioch as follows:
Ricka Davis-Sheard
Ricka is the founder of SHARE Community an organization that brings showers and toilets on wheels to our neighbors without houses. Her efforts promote unity in our community and help heal individuals who are often denied dignity and compassion.
Flori Paniagua
Flori is the founder of Team Jesus Outreach Ministries an organization that brings groceries to struggling families. Her organization is now the largest food distribution center in East Contra Costa County.
Gerald “JR” Wilson Jr.
JR is the founder of Delta Veterans Group (DVG), an organization that supports military veterans. His efforts promote unity in our community and help heal veterans who are in need through events like Stand Down on the Delta.
Cassandra Quinto Collins
Cassandra is the mother of Angelo Quinto, who died in police custody in 2020 and is the founder of the Angelo Quinto Foundation. The foundation works to reform police policies throughout California. Her advocacy efforts have led to changes in local and state policy including the banning of the use of the term “excited delirium” by medical examiners and law enforcement personnel.
William and Mary Chapman
Mary is the co-founder and executive director of An Elderly Wish Foundation, an organization that enriches the final days of an elderly person who is terminally ill by making a life-long wish come true. Bill has been by Mary’s side helping realize these requests as a long-time board member of the organization.
See more by viewing the event video.
the attachments to this post:
Mayor Thorpe Unity & Healing Service 11-30-23
