The Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, in collaboration with Arizona OIC, City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department (EOD), and City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission (HRC), announce they are accepting nominations for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Living the Dream" Award, beginning Aug. 1, 2023.
This year, City of Phoenix HRC will seek to select one (1) individual for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Calvin C. Goode “Lifetime Achievement" Award and four (4) individuals for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream" Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award, named after 22-year Phoenix City Councilman Calvin C. Goode, will recognize 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 will honor individuals who embody the ideas of Dr. King through a personal commitment to human relations and justice.
The selected honorees will be celebrated at the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK Awards & Scholarship Breakfast, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, presented by Amazon, and championed by PetSmart and Verizon.
The Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center, directed by President and CEO Dr. Gene Blue, coordinates, and manages the Arizona MLK Celebration Committee.
Dr. Gene Blue stated, “The celebration continues to honor one of God’s Greatest soldiers for human rights. We are so pleased to have the support of our Arizona Governor this year, and we look forward to your continued involvement. Leading this event and working with our MLK Committee Members for the last 38 years has been one of my greatest honors. We are truly blessed."
The chair of the Arizona MLK Celebration Events and Activities, Ron Williams, added, “Nine years ago when Dr. Gene Blue tapped me to become the chair of the Arizona MLK Events and Activities, I made a commitment to execute his vision as flawlessly as I could. I hope that I have made him proud to have selected me, I’m excited for the 2024 events."
The City of Phoenix HRC’s mission is to promote respect and understanding among all groups by eliminating discrimination throughout the city of Phoenix. Each year, the Phoenix HRC seeks human rights award nominations to recognize individuals, including youth, who have made an impact on the quality of life in Phoenix.
Nominations will be accepted online at the City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department’s website at https://www.phoenix.gov/eod, and The Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee’s website at azmlk.org. The nomination deadline is Sept. 1, 2023.
About the Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center (AZOIC)
It is Arizona OIC's mission 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.