By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–The City of Oceanside, in partnership with the North San Diego County NAACP, has named Bess Bronson as the recipient of the 2025 MLK Community Service Award.
The announcement was made during the city’s annual commemoration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 20.
This prestigious award is presented each year to a resident of Oceanside or Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton who embodies Dr. King’s values and teachings through long-term volunteer service to the community.
A dedicated advocate for education and youth development, Bronson has been a driving force in supporting educational opportunities for Oceanside’s young people. For the past 25 years, she has actively contributed to numerous initiatives aimed at empowering students and fostering academic success.
Bronson has played a vital role in the North County African American Women’s Association, where she served as chairperson of the scholarship committee for a decade. Under her leadership, the organization has raised over $480,000 in scholarships for young African American girls. She has also contributed to the association’s Middle School Mentoring program as a True Colors Consultant, helping students identify their learning styles and potential career paths.
Bronson has been a dedicated volunteer with the Oceanside Pacific Kiwanis for 19 years. Through Kiwanis, she has supported Brother Benno’s Outreach Programs to assist the homeless, helped implement the Kiwanis Child ID and Fingerprint Safety Program, and played a key role in the Bringing Up Grades program, which focuses on improving reading and math skills for students in grades 3-5. She has also been instrumental in the Terry Leverro Kiwanis Art Competition, which recognizes student achievements in oil painting, digital design, and self-portraits.
Beyond her work with these organizations, Bronson continues to serve the community in various capacities. She is an active member of the Oceanside Unified Bond Oversight Committee and the Oceanside Unified School Boundary Committee. She also volunteers with the Oceanside NAACP chapter and contributed to several key community events, including the Juneteenth celebration, the Oceanside Firefighters Open House, the Blue and Gold Planning Committee, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast.
Echoing Dr. King’s belief that “everyone can be great because anyone can serve,” Bronson is passionate about inspiring young people to engage in service. Her dedication and tireless efforts exemplify the spirit of the MLK Community Service Award.
