MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Contact: Diane Comer
502-892-3611
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 15, 2021) – The Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission will announce recipients of the 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Awards at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, the annual holiday celebrating Dr. King's life and service. Winners will be highlighted via video posted at https://youtu.be/7s6voXq00h4.
Nominations from the public were accepted for the Leadership Award, which recognizes community leaders whose actions demonstrate distinguished service in promoting Dr. King’s ideals to further the goals of diversity and justice for all. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade from across the Commonwealth were invited to submit essays, visual artwork and poems displaying artistic expression to reflect this year's theme, "How would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspire the nation if he were alive today?”
The commission is administratively attached to the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office, awards co-sponsor.
The commission works to promote the annual MLK holiday as an occasion to reflect upon the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change as espoused by Dr. King, encourage community service in keeping with the principles taught by Dr. King, provide advice and assistance to local governments and private organizations with respect to the holiday, and promote the commemoration as an opportunity to advocate for interracial cooperation and youth antiviolence initiatives.
For questions, contact Tressa Brown, commission coordinator, at 502-892-3607.
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An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of prehistoric resources and historic buildings, sites and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, local communities and interested citizens.