Nominate a Leader
Help us recognize individuals whose leadership reflects the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Do you know someone whose leadership demonstrates courage, service, justice, belonging, and a commitment to strengthening the Greater La Crosse community?
The MLK Community Celebration honors individuals who are carrying Dr. King’s legacy forward through leadership, service, community-building, justice, and love in action.
Nominations are now open for the 2027 MLK Community Celebration.
Award recipients will be recognized during the:
MLK Community Celebration
Monday, January 18, 2027
7:00–8:30 PM
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center
Award recipients must be available to attend the celebration.
The full evening begins at 5:30 PM with Community Tables & Networking, followed by the formal MLK Community Celebration Program at 7:00 PM.
Award Categories
Lynda Blackmon Lowery Youth Leadership Award
The Lynda Blackmon Lowery Youth Leadership Award recognizes a young person whose courage, leadership, service, and actions are making a positive difference within their school, organization, neighborhood, or the Greater La Crosse community.
Nominees should demonstrate leadership that reflects the spirit of Dr. King’s work, including efforts related to justice, inclusion, anti-racism, peace, nonviolence, community-building, peer empowerment, or creating positive change.\
ABOUT LYNDA BLACKMON LOWERY
Lynda Blackmon Lowery became involved in the Civil Rights Movement as a young teenager in Selma, Alabama, and was the youngest participant to complete the historic 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march.
Her courage and leadership remind us that young people have always played an important role in advancing justice and creating change.
The Lynda Blackmon Lowery Youth Leadership Award honors young people who demonstrate that same spirit of courage, leadership, service, and commitment to their community.
William “Bill” Coleman College Leadership Award
The William “Bill” Coleman College Leadership Award recognizes a college student or emerging adult leader who demonstrates leadership in action, commitment to personal and community growth, service to others, and efforts that strengthen the Greater La Crosse community.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Adult Leadership Award
Established in 2009, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Adult Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose leadership and service contribute to building community, advancing justice, strengthening belonging, and creating positive change throughout the Greater La Crosse area.
Nominees should demonstrate current or past involvement in efforts that create tangible, lasting, or systemic positive change.
Their work may include social justice, anti-poverty efforts, peace and nonviolence, racial justice, diversity and inclusion, community-building, or other justice-centered work reflecting Dr. King’s legacy.
Selection Process
Nominations are reviewed by a committee that includes past MLK Leadership Award recipients and representatives from regional community and justice-focused organizations.
Nominees are considered based on leadership, service, community impact, commitment to justice, and alignment with the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Need Help?
For questions about the nomination process or to request a paper nomination packet, please contact:
Former Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Adult Leadership Award Recipients
We honor the past recipients of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Adult Leadership Award and the leadership, courage, and service they have offered to the Greater La Crosse community.
Roberta Stevens — 2009
Thomas Harris — 2010
Andrea Hansen — 2011
Maureen Freedland — 2012
James Parker — 2013
William Coleman & Dempsey Miller III — 2014
Barbara Stewart — 2015
Nahoua “Tony” Yang — 2016
John Medinger — 2017
Nathaniel “Nate” Coleman, Jr. — 2018
Shaundel Spivey — 2019
Tracy Littlejohn — 2020
Amanda Goodenough — 2021
Antoiwana Williams — 2022
Bridget Todd-Robbins — 2023
Will Van Roosenbeek — 2024
Vincent Hamilton — 2026
Thank You
Thank you for helping us recognize the people carrying Dr. King’s legacy forward throughout the Greater La Crosse community.
By nominating a leader, you help us celebrate the courage, service, leadership, and community impact happening around us—and inspire others to continue the work.
