Renetta Garrison Tull Joins Yolo County Board to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On January 13, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and proclaiming January 19, 2026, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Yolo County.

At the invitation of Supervisor Lucas Frerichs, Renetta Garrison Tull, vice chancellor for inclusive excellence at University of California, Davis, along with Garth Lewis, Yolo County Office of Education Superintendent, joined the Board meeting to accept the proclamation on behalf of the university.

During her remarks, Tull lifted up the UC Davis Principles of Community, which articulate the university’s shared values and commitment to inclusive excellence. She read from Paragraph 2, Part 1 of the Principles, which affirms: “We affirm the dignity inherent in all of us, and we strive to maintain a climate of equity and justice, demonstrated by respect for one another.” Tull’s remarks shared that the passage reflects Dr. King’s vision for a Beloved Community,  calling for justice, peace, equity, and agape (unconditional love) — values that continue to guide UC Davis’s work on campus and in partnership with surrounding communities.

The engagement also reflected an ongoing relationship between UC Davis and Yolo County leaders grounded in shared commitments to community, public service, and belonging. Representatives from Supervisor Frerichs’ office previously participated in UC Davis’s Principles of Community programming on campus in November, underscoring a reciprocal partnership that extends beyond a single event or observance.

Following the meeting, Tull shared the proclamation with the Chancellor’s Leadership Council and with Chancellor Gary S. May, reinforcing the significance of the county’s recognition and the importance of carrying Dr. King’s legacy forward through institutional leadership and action.

Through civic engagements such as this, UC Davis continues to live out the Principles of Community — translating shared values into practice and strengthening the connections between the university and the communities it serves.