MLK Award Nominations

African-American Resource Center

The 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Symposium on Social Change Executive Planning Committee of the University of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the 29th Annual Community Involvement Recognition Awards.

In honor of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s recognition that local engagement is essential to the struggle for equality, the awards honor members of the Philadelphia community whose local engagement and active service to others best exemplifies the ideals Dr. King espoused.

The 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Involvement Recognition Awards

Awards were presented to six individuals in the following areas:

Faculty or Staff of the University of Penn community involved in community service and/or working for social justice efforts: Paulette Branson
Youth or Adult involved in community service and/or working for social justice efforts in Philadelphia: Melany Nelson / Joe E. Nock
Students of the University of Pennsylvania involved in community service and/or working for social justice efforts: Undergraduate, Mya Gordon / Graduate, Jasmine Brown
Community Education Award in Honor of Dr. Judith Rodin for those who demonstrate significant contributions in community service and/or working for social justice efforts through the advancement of education and educational opportunities in Philadelphia: Herman Beavers

President Liz Magill speaking at a ceremony in front of photo of MLK

Submitting MLK Nominations

We seek your help in nominating individuals whose work most merits recognition. Please share this information with others in your families, communities, schools, departments, and organizations so that we may identify those most deserving of this award.

Nomination forms may be submitted in November 2024.

Due to Covid-19, all nominations are required to be submitted electronically.

To submit an award nomination go to our online form.

If you have any questions, please contact us at aarc@upenn.edu