Group of Black people walking in a parade. Two people are holding a banner for the Madison, Wisconsin African Women's Association.
Civil Rights

MLK Award Criteria

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award is presented annually to the person or persons who have demonstrated leadership and volunteerism while making significant contributions in the areas of:

Promoting peace, Understanding, and Improving communication & cooperation between diverse populations in Dane County

Recipients of these prestigious community awards will be announced at the City-County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Youth Leaders (13+) Criteria

  1. Young adults who have demonstrated the principles of Dr. King for at least two or more years;
  2. Have shown visible and continuing leadership in one or more of the following areas: education, religion, civil rights, community or civic services;
  3. Have not previously received this award;
  4. Currently not a member of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Commission;
  5. Not currently running for office;
  6. City or County Resident.

Emerging Leaders (18-25) Criteria

  1. Young adults who have demonstrated the principles of Dr. King for at least three or more years;
  2. Have shown visible and continuing leadership in one or more of the following areas: education, religion, civil rights, community or civic services;
  3. Have not previously received this award;
  4. Currently not a member of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Commission;
  5. Not currently running for office;
  6. City or County Resident.

Humanitarian (18+) Criteria

  1. Adults actively identified with the Dane County area for at least five years;
  2. Have shown visible and continuing leadership in one or more of the following areas: education, religion, civil rights, politics, community or civic services;
  3. Have not previously received this award;
  4. Currently not a member of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Commission;
  5. Not currently running for office;
  6. City or County Resident.

Members of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Commission will independently rank the nominees. Results will be compared and award recipients will be chosen collectively by the Mayor, County Executive and Commission members.

Submit a Nomination

Applications can be submitted in one of the following ways:

We encourage groups of people to sign on to one nomination.

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