More than 200 religious and community leaders packed Shanker Hall for the union’s faith-based and community breakfast on March 20 to discuss how to rise to the challenges of the current political moment. The event was headlined by gospel great Bishop Hezekiah Walker. “There was a renewed commitment to continue building on the values of faith, service and community,” said Nicholas Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement and the organizer of the event. Anthony Harmon, a former UFT staff director and now president of the NAACP New York City branch, received the first Pastor Joseph Maldonado Trailblazer Award. “With all the work that I have done and all the titles I’ve held, the one that is most near and dear to me is that of teacher,” Harmon said as he accepted the award named for Maldonado, who was integral to the inception of the breakfast 15 years ago and died in February. A moment of silence was held to honor civil rights leader Hazel Dukes, who died on March 1.