The Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee (AZMLK) is pleased to announce the names of six community members that will be honored at the 38th Annual Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards & Scholarship Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Dennis Prince, Sr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Honorees
Pastor Aubrey L. Barnwell
Kenny W. Harris
Jalen Herring
Essen Otu
Hon. Leah Landrum Taylor
The program begins at 8am, withregistration/check-in beginning at 7am; ballroom doors open at 7:30am. The event will take place at Phoenix Convention Center South Ballroom, 33 S. 3rd Street (85004).
The AZMLK Celebration Committee operates under the direction of Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center, led by President and CEO Dr. Gene Blue.
Dr. Blue reminds us that, "AZMLK was founded to promote cultural diversity, awareness, and unity as it seeks to involve all Arizonans in recognizing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the contributions he left to the world in his quest for equality for all people. I am blessed and humbled to celebrate 38 years recognizing one of God’s best, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
Ron Williams and Valerie Churchwell serve as the event’s chair and co-chair, respectively.
Arizona MLK Celebration honorees are selected by the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission (HRC) Awards Selection Committee. The HRC’s mission is to promote respect and understanding among all groups by eliminating discrimination throughout the city of Phoenix. The Lifetime Achievement Award, named after 22-year Phoenix City Councilman Calvin C. Goode, recognizes an individual who has made Phoenix a better place to live by promoting social and economic justice and civil rights. The Living the Dream Award honors individuals who embody the ideas of Dr. King through a personal commitment to human relations and justice.
The title sponsor for the 38th Annual Arizona MLK Awards & Scholarship Breakfast is Amazon. In addition, Verizon and PetSmart will serve as presenting sponsors for this year’s event. Other top sponsors and supporters include: City of Phoenix; Arizona Public Service; Arizona Community Foundation; Suns Charities; Perkins Coie; Wells Fargo; Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; and Arizona Cardinals. More sponsors soon to be announced.
For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Dalyn Blue-McLaurin at 602-513-8311 or dalyn@azoic.org.
For more about the 2024 Arizona MLK Celebration events and activities, visit azmlk.org. Or contact Ron Williams at 602-326-4607, ron@contactstocontracts.net.
About the Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center (AZOIC)
The mission of Arizona OIC is to help people help themselves through accessible education, career preparation, skills training, and job placement assistance. Arizona OIC’s programs and facilities have provided recruitment, training, job placement assistance, and employee services to the unemployed, underemployed, unskilled and dislocated worker for more than 50 years. Learn more at azoic.org.