The King Center presents: The 2025 MLK, Jr. Beloved Community Awards

Tune in as The King Center celebrates organizations and individuals who are doing their part to create the Beloved Community, as envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Don’t miss powerful moments with our amazing honorees, including Nadia Murad, Heman Bekele, Jenifer Lewis and LaTosha Brown; and inspiring performances, including from Common Hymnal, Kirk Whalum, MaKenzie, and The CommUNITY ATLl! Hosted by Nischelle Turner and Timon Kyle Durrett Honorees: Beloved Community Civic Leadership Award – Black Voters Matter - Accepted by LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright, Co-Founders Beloved Community Technological Innovation Award – PSYONIC Beloved Community Christine King Farris Legacy of Service in Education Award – Morris Brown College Beloved Community Yolanda D. King Higher Ground Award – Jenifer Lewis -Actress, Singer, Author, Activist Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (Individual) – Heman Bekele, Student Scientist Beloved Community Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation Award – Nadia Murad - President & Chairwoman of Nadia's Initiative and Nobel Peace Laureate Beloved Community Corporate Social Impact Award – MARS, Inc. Beloved Community Social Justice Award – AIDS Healthcare Foundation Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award – Serenbe Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award ( Organization) – Latin American Association Beloved Community Salute to Greatness Humanitarian Award - Laura Arnold, Founder and Co-Chair of Arnold Ventures #MLK #MLKDay #MissionPossibleMLK #CorettaScottKing --- ### A partial list of the individuals, organizations, brands, partners, programs, and sponsors mentioned in the event, along with descriptions and relevant links: ### **Individuals & Honorees** 1. **Dr. Bernice A. King** – CEO of The King Center, global thought leader advocating nonviolence and social justice. - [The King Center](https://thekingcenter.org/) 2. **Jennifer Lewis** – Award-winning actress, activist, and mental health advocate. - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jeniferlewisforreal/) 3. **Nadia Murad** – Nobel Peace Laureate, human rights activist, and founder of **Nadia’s Initiative**. - [Nadia’s Initiative](https://www.nadiasinitiative.org/) 4. **Dr. Adil Akhtar** – Neuroscientist and CEO of **Psyonics**, developer of the world’s first bionic hand with touch feedback. - [Psyonics](https://www.psyonics.tech/) 5. **Heman Muñoz** – **TIME Magazine 2024 Kid of the Year**, inventor of a groundbreaking treatment for skin cancer. 6. **Cliff Albright & LaTosha Brown** – Co-founders of **Black Voters Matter**, an advocacy group empowering marginalized communities through civic engagement. - [Black Voters Matter](https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/) 7. **Norm Nixon** – NBA All-Star champion and activist. 8. **Timon & Cal Durrett** – Hosts of the event, actors, and social impact advocates. 9. **Jasmine Guy** – Award-winning actress, director, and cultural icon. 10. **Common & Himan** – Grammy-winning artist and activist, creators of the **"Be Love"** anthem. - [Common's Website](https://thinkcommon.com/) - [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GHclqNVjqGuiE5m0bFCKF) ### **Organizations, Brands & Sponsors** #### **Advocacy & Social Impact** 11. **The King Center** – Official institution preserving the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - [The King Center](https://thekingcenter.org/) 12. **AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)** – The world’s largest HIV/AIDS organization, providing healthcare and advocacy worldwide. - [AIDS Healthcare Foundation](https://www.aidshealth.org/) 13. **Latin American Association (LAA)** – Provides academic mentorship and financial support for Latinx youth in the U.S. - [Latin American Association](https://thelaa.org/) 14. **ForgiveCo** – Nonprofit focused on purchasing and forgiving medical and tax debt to provide financial relief. - [ForgiveCo](https://www.forgiveco.com/) 15. **Serenbe Community** – Awarded for **environmental justice**, a sustainability-focused wellness community. - [Serenbe](https://serenbe.com/) 16. **Black Voters Matter** – Civic advocacy group empowering black communities to engage in elections and social justice. - [Black Voters Matter](https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/) 17. **NAACP Image Awards** – Recognizes outstanding Black individuals in entertainment, literature, and social justice. - [NAACP](https://naacpimageawards.net/) 18. **Operation HOPE** – Provides financial literacy and economic empowerment. - [Operation HOPE](https://operationhope.org/) 19. **Habitat for Humanity** – Global nonprofit focused on affordable housing and homeownership for families. - [Habitat for Humanity](https://www.habitat.org/) 20. **Psyonics** – Developer of advanced **bionic prosthetics** that restore touch sensations for amputees. - [Psyonics](https://www.psyonics.tech/) 21. **Latin American Association** – Offers leadership training, scholarships, and community support for Latinx youth. - [Latin American Association](https://thelaa.org/) 22. **Morris Brown College** – Historically Black College (HBCU) recently restored to full accreditation. - [Morris Brown College](https://morrisbrown.edu/) 23. **Microsoft** – Partnered with The King Center to digitize archives and support nonviolence education. - [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/) 24. **Captain Planet Foundation** – Supports youth-led environmental projects and sustainability initiatives. - [Captain Planet Foundation](https://captainplanetfoundation.org/) #### **Corporate & Philanthropic Partners** 25. **Ford Motor Company Philanthropy** – Funds community development, education, and disaster relief programs. - [Ford Philanthropy](https://corporate.ford.com/social-impact/philanthropy.html) 26. **Coca-Cola Foundation** – Invests in education, economic empowerment, and community development. - [Coca-Cola Foundation](https://www.coca-colacompany.com/shared-future/communities) 27. **Delta Airlines** – Supports global education and economic mobility programs. - [Delta Airlines](https://www.delta.com/) 28. **Mars Incorporated** – Corporate philanthropist investing in global sustainability and community empowerment. - [Mars](https://www.mars.com/) 29. **Goldman Sachs** – Sponsors **EmpowerHer**, a leadership program for Black women. - [Goldman Sachs 1 Million Black Women](https://www.goldmansachs.com/what-we-do/sustainability/one-million-black-women/) 30. **Time Magazine** – Recognized **Heman Muñoz** as **Kid of the Year 2024** for his contributions to public health. - [Time for Kids](https://www.timeforkids.com/) 31. **Atlanta Dream (WNBA)** – Partnered with The King Center for **Emerging Dreamers**, an HBCU student mentorship program. - [Atlanta Dream](https://dream.wnba.com/) 32. **Jennifer Hudson Show** – Media partner highlighting Black leaders and cultural contributions. - [Jennifer Hudson Show](https://www.jenniferhudsonshow.com/) ### **Programs & Initiatives** 33. **King 100** – Five-year campaign to honor Dr. King and Coretta Scott King’s centennials. - [King Center](https://thekingcenter.org/) 34. **Nonviolence365®** – A training program promoting conflict resolution and leadership development. - [Nonviolence365](https://thekingcenter.org/nonviolence-365/) 35. **Emerging Dreamers** – College student roundtable on leadership, social justice, and economic empowerment. - [Emerging Dreamers](https://dream.wnba.com/) 36. **EmpowerHer Leadership Academy** – A program in partnership with Goldman Sachs for Black women leaders. - [EmpowerHer](https://www.goldmansachs.com/) 37. **Be Love Day** – Annual event promoting nonviolence, love-centered leadership, and service. - [Be Love Day](https://thekingcenter.org/) 38. **Martin Luther King Jr. Global Youth Summit** – Leadership program training young activists in civic engagement. ### **How to Support & Get Involved** - **Donate to The King Center:** Text **MLKGive to 44321** or visit [The King Center](https://thekingcenter.org/) - **Download "Be Love" Anthem** by **Common & Himan** on streaming platforms – 100% proceeds go to The King Center. - **Support ForgiveCo:** Help families erase medical & tax debt [here](https://www.forgiveco.com/). - **Engage with Black Voters Matter:** Advocate for voting rights at [Black Voters Matter](https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/). - **Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity:** Get involved at [Habitat.org](https://www.habitat.org/).