PCC Mourns Pasadena Councilmember John J. Kennedy

Today the Pasadena City College community is mourning the passing of Pasadena Councilmember John J. Kennedy.

Sandra Chen Lau, board president of the Pasadena Area Community College District, said the following:

“John Kennedy cared deeply about the community and dedicated his life to serving the community he loved. He spoke out when he saw injustice and advocated for accountability to ensure fairness. John led with passion and a commitment to serve those who needed a voice. He will be missed, and on behalf of the PCC Board of Trustees, we send our deep condolences to the Kennedy family. May John rest in power.”

Dr. Erika Endrijonas, superintendent/president of Pasadena City College, shared the following thoughts:

“John Kennedy was a force of nature. His tireless advocacy for his neighbors in his district and every Pasadenan distinguished him as someone who always had our city’s best interests at heart.

“I had a chance to see John in action when then-candidate Joe Biden came to Pasadena during the 2020 election. John welcomed Mr. Biden to our city with open arms, taking the opportunity to highlight the needs of our citizens. He also led our city in an effort to build a sister-city relationship with Dakar, Senegal, providing another opportunity for us to claim our spot on the world stage.

“These were prime examples of John’s dedication to his constituents, commitment to social justice, and love of Pasadena.

“Today’s loss is felt especially deeply by PCC’s Black students and employees. John frequently advocated for the Black community at PCC, striving for equity and an end to racial inequality. In his focus on justice he inspired us all to fight stronger for these ideals. For that work we are eternally grateful.”