Education advocate, pastor receive Human Dignity Award at MLK Jr. breakfast

More than 1,200 San Diego residents and community leaders came together Friday morning at the 41st annual Human Dignity Award breakfast to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy while signaling the work that lies ahead.

Hosted at the Town & County Resort by Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, the annual event paid homage to King. It was attended by Supervisor Montgomery Steppe, San Diego City Council members, religious leaders and past recipients of the award.

Each year, two recipients are presented with the Human Dignity Award for their dedication to continuing King’s legacy by promoting his values through their commitments to the community.

Honorees this year are Leonard Thompson III, an education advocate and founder of M.A.N.D.A.T.E Records Inc., and Walter Wells, a pastor for more than five decades.

Wells founded Mt. Erie Christian Academy, as well as several early childhood centers and daycare programs across San Diego County.

Since assuming pastoral leadership in 1973, he has worked as an educational advocate and religious leader in the community.

“As we honor the legacy of Dr. King, let us continue to work for God,” Wells said. “As we look to those who are less fortunate than us … let us continue to stand for justice and righteousness.”

Thompson founded one of San Diego’s longest-standing independent record labels, known for gospel and jazz music. In 2014, he launched a nonprofit that trained inner-city youth in music, t...