On January 14, 2024, Mikal Washington of the Equity and Engagement Department participated in the 23rd annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Thanks to the assistance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice and MLK Countywide Committees, attendees were able to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, while also recognizing 3 individuals exhibiting a strong commitment to his dream and our community. The event also featured a reading of the proclamation from the MLK Countywide Executive Committee and a special keynote from Reverend Dr. William H. Foster, Jr. of Providence Baptist Church in Chicago, IL.
The winners of the MLK Countywide Committee Community Awards were:
- Marco Price – James R. Burgess, Jr./Susan Freiburg Humanitarian Award
- Rev. Herbert D. Burnett – Doris Hoskins Prestigious Community Service Award
- Minnie Pearson – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award
Following the celebration, a Unity Breakfast was held on January 15, 2024, at Vineyard Church celebrating the recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” scholarship. Local high school students showcasing outstanding achievement in the classroom and throughout the community were recognized for their hard work and rewarded with up to $1,000 in scholarship funding for their future collegiate endeavors.