Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Ceremony

Event Details

Next year's event is being planned. Details will be shared as they are finalized. 

Nominations

Nomination information will be made available later this year.

Adult MLK Award Eligibility

  1. The nominee must be a resident of Normal
  2. The activity for which the individual is being nominated must be not-for-profit and not a part of their job.
  3. Self nominations will not be accepted
  4. Normal Human Relations Commission staff, family members and past winners are not eligible

Youth - I Have a Dream Award Eligibility

  1. The nominee must be a resident of Normal 
  2. The nominee must be attending a high school in Bloomington or Normal.
  3. The nominee must show good academic achievement while accomplishing community activities.
  4. Self nominations will not be accepted
  5. Normal Human Relations Commission staff, family members and past winners are not eligible

Selection Criteria

A demonstrated commitment to improving cooperation and fostering mutual respect among people of different racial, ethnic, religious and other backgrounds.

Nomination Process

Complete the nomination form. Nominations will be judged solely on the responses to questions on the nomination form; no supporting materials will be accepted. Commissioners will review the nominations and determine the award winner.

Questions? 

Email the Human Relations Commission or call 309-454-9504

Previous Adult Human Relations Award Recipients


  • 2023- Jay Tummala
  • 2022- Michelle Cook 
  • 2021 - Dr. Kristal Shelvin
  • 2020 - Elaine Hill
  • 2019 - Jerry James
  • 2018 - Andre Hursey
  • 2017 - Mary Aplington
  • 2016 - Marcos Mendez
  • 2015 - Takesha Stokes
  • 2014 - Paul Bushnell
  • 2013 - Quincy Cummings
  • 2012 - Orlyn Edge
  • 2011 - Cynthia D. Ashby
  • 2010 - Donald Crayton
  • 2009 - Brandon Caffey
  • 2008 - Monica Taylor
  • 2007 - Dr. Jeanne Morris
  • 2006 - Dr. Joann Walters
  • 2005 - William A. Myers
  • 2004 - Carla Campbell-Jackson
  • 2003 - Brenda Melcher
  • 2002 - Patricia Turner
  • 2001 - Ronald Morehead
  • 2000 - Jana Edge
  • 1999 - Reverend Richard Watts
  • 1998 - Robert Sutherland
  • 1997 - Reverend James Hines
  • 1996 - James A. Knecht
  • 1995 - Jewel Beale
  • 1994 - Carol Schrantz
  • 1993 - Frank Suggs
  • 1992 - Robert Hathway
  • 1991 - Mary E. Campbell
  • 1990 - Scott Eatherly
  • 1989 - Dr. Mildred Pratt
  • 1988 - Pamela Oliver
  • 1987 - Carol Reitan
  • 1986 - Reverend James W. Pruyne
  • 1985 - Reverend William A. Hammitt
  • 1984 - Melba Moore
  • 1983 - Dr. Williams D. Colvin
  • 1982 - Kathryn P. Dean
  • 1981 - Dale R. Jackson
  • 1981 - Reverend Tom Todd
  • 1980 - Anna Keaton
  • 1979 - Charles Morris
  • 1978 - Dr. Ralph Lewis Smith
  • 1977 - Merlin Kennedy

Previous Youth "I Have A Dream" Award Recipients

  • 2023- Amaya Hursey
  • 2022 - Cana Brooks & Erica Rosenberger
  • 2021 - Jasmyn Jordan and Yvin Shin (co-recipients)
  • 2020 - Dhruv Rebba
  • 2019 - Priyamsa Mikkilineni
  • 2018 - Xavier Higgins
  • 2017 - Sujith Molakala
  • 2016 - Amari Funderburg
  • 2015 - Kristina Smith
  • 2014 - Likhita Kalla
  • 2013 - Akshay Nambiar
  • 2012 - Atticus Francken
  • 2011 - Detertorian D. Sanders
  • 2010 - Tiara Farris
  • 2009 - Jessica Rardin
  • 2008 - Molly Sender
  • 2007 - Tosha Childs
  • 2006 - Lauren Kay Murphy
  • 2005 - Noelle Harper
  • 2004 - Sheytophia Jimenez
  • 2003 - Joel Allen
  • 2002 - David C. Foster
  • 2001 - Jacob Fulk
  • 2000 - Carley Schinault
  • 1999 - Rachel Gordon
  • 1998 - Sara Chan
  • 1997 - Walter D. Pano
  • 1996 - Supna Chaudhari
  • 1995 - Chinonye Nnakwe
  • 1994 - Rachel A. Reynard

Previous MLK Champion Award Recipients

  • 2019 - Not In Our Town