On Monday, January 19th, Garden City Community College honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Flooding the stands full of community members and GCCC students and faculty.
Raquel Cuevas of the Student Government Association (SGA) welcomed the public to the powerful ceremony both SGA and bUSters United had planned for the evening. Cuevas went on to introduce the recipients of the 2026 Tommy Austin Community Impact Award; an award recognizing organizations and individuals in the community who noticeably stick out and embody the selflessness and diligence of beloved Tommy Lou Austin.
The strong-willed character of Austin went on to make history as she became the first African American woman who was elected as a Garden City, City Commissioner. She left a legacy full of generosity, compassion, and made sure those around her felt supported in every moment; honoring her life and the impact she left through this award.
This year’s award went to Real Men Real Leaders, a nonprofit organization that offers guidance to young boys, helping them become the best leaders they can be. This organization instills belief in the young men they are working with, inspiring them and motivating them to make a lasting impact on not only people they come across but their community as a whole.
Following the Tommy Lou Austin Award, Reyna Garcia of SGA welcomed Xernona Clayton, pioneering broadcasting executive and Civil Rights leader to the stage. GC3 Media and SGA members Veronica McCallum and Kamdyn Carr had the opportunity to meet and speak personally with Xernona through student government and their account is as follows:
Most of the history that we have viewed has been taught through textbooks and documentaries, which led to a feeling of distance for us. Getting the opportunity to meet an individual who not only lived through history but helped to shape it, was incredible.
Xernona told us about her life, the people who influenced her and her view of the world before, during and after the civil rights movement. Before meeting her we mostly saw her as someone connected to Martin Luther King Jr., but after our conversations we see how important other figures were during the movement. She helped to plan marches, headed programs, and created waves that went on to effect governmental systems.
The message she pushed the most was that of purpose. She encouraged the audience to just “do something” that drove us and not to sit around and let our lives run their course. Xernona Clayton is living proof of the importance of commitment, demonstrating that if there is something you want to change in the world, you have to be willing to make the change.
