Pasadena City Council Honors Community Champions, Highlights Juneteenth At Monday Meeting

The Pasadena City Council recognized two local residents for outstanding community service Monday evening, presenting the Human Relations Commission’s Trailblazer Awards in the program’s second year and first time at a City Council meeting.

Rashan Gonzalez of District 3, a retired 25-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran, received recognition for transforming into a community catalyst. Since retirement, Gonzalez has converted her front yard into a sustainable garden focusing on plant ecosystems, manages feral stray cat populations through trap-neuter-return programs, organizes trash cleanup and graffiti removal walks, and teaches neighbors to use the Pasadena Service Center app.

“Rashan Gonzalez retired after 25 years as a police officer with the LA Police Department. Now she now she inspires neighbors to join her in creating a safer, cleaner and more vibrant community affecting the quality of life in Pasadena,” said Sandy Greenstein, Human Relations Commission chair..

Cynthia Macias from District 7, a first-grade teacher at McKinley School for the Arts in the Pasadena Unified School District, was honored for integrating human relations skills throughout academic subjects.

“Cynthia Macias is honored today for her devotion to teaching first graders human relations skills at McKinley School for the Arts in Pasadena Unified School District intertwining academic subjects with forming for a lifetime of learning how to have productive conversations with others who may disagree,” Greenstein said.

Councilmember Justin Jones praised Gonzalez’s grassroots activism, noting her leadership in organizing neighborhood cleanups including one scheduled for June 21st.

The Council also acknowledged the city’s upcoming Juneteenth celebration. Florence Annang from the NAACP Pasadena Branch invited residents to the fourth annual roller jam on Saturday, June 14th from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at City Hall, with free roller skates provided through a Jack and Jill partnership.

Mayor Victor Gordo reported on his June 4th Sacramento trip with Pasadena City College President ??José A. Gómez advocating for career technical center funding at PCC. The multi-year effort now has renderings and interested funders.

Last year’s inaugural Trailblazer Award recipient was Sheldon Epps  PPS from the Pasadena Playhouse.