The City of Oceanside, in collaboration with the North San Diego County NAACP, announced Beatriz “Bea” Palmer as the 2024 recipient of the City of Oceanside Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award at the annual celebration honoring Dr. King, Jr. on January 15, 2024. [Ms. Palmer is shown at left, with Mayor Esther Sanchez, right.]

Growing up in Oceanside, Bea is an Oceanside High School graduate and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development, and a Masters Degree in Sociology. In her professional life, she serves as Mira Costa College’s Service Learning Coordinator, which puts her in a position to help people every day, which she reflects is like “a dream come true.”

 Like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Palmer is an engaged and transformational community leader and a volunteer who strives to advance equity in all of her service, and her commitment to social justice and building community can be seen through her decades of selfless service with countless community organizations.  For over 40 years, Ms. Palmer has actively volunteered and worked to make Oceanside, and the greater region, a better place through her genuine support in lifting up marginalized communities. Her decades of impactful service include as a City Housing Commissioner, and a City Community Relations Commissioner. Bea currently serves in several important leadership roles with the North San Diego County Promise, the North San Diego County NAACP board, the Alliance for Regional Solutions, and is Operation HOPE’s Board President.  This list represents a mere sampling of Palmer’s community engagement and volunteerism.

Bea has been described as “collaborative, inspiring, empowering, and uplifting,” exemplifying the attributes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Her leadership has inspired positive change and her daily actions set an example for others to follow.

The MLK Community Service award is given annually to a resident of  Oceanside who exemplifies the ideals and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and who has served the community in volunteer activities over a long period of time.  Previous honorees may be viewed on this webpage.