Nominations Open for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Community Service Awards

The City of Tacoma’s Events and Recognitions Committee (CERC) is now accepting nominations for Tacoma community members to be honored for their service at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in January 2026. The deadline for nominations in the categories of the Lifetime Service Award (groups, organizations, and individuals eligible) and the Emerging Leader Award (individuals) is Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Find the nomination application here.

Honorees include those that have demonstrated a meaningful contribution to serving the community through human rights efforts, commitment to education, or sharing of their skills, and those that embody the legacy of Dr. King’s teachings and actions, to represent people of all color in the pursuit of hope, healing, and sustainable peace.

Recent honorees include Brian Gatewood Sr., Shawn Durnen, Gloria Joy Kazuko Muhammad, Lisa Mathusz, Pastor Gregory Christopher, and former U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer. These individuals represent a wide range of leadership, service, and advocacy that reflects Dr. King’s vision of hope, justice, and opportunity for all.

In addition to honoring award recipients, the annual Celebration features live performances, a community outreach fair, and the opportunity to gather with neighbors, civic leaders, and local organizations. The 2025 program, filmed by TV Tacoma, can be viewed online.

The CERC selects the honorees to receive awards and oversees the annual production of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The event will be held at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, located at 1500 Commerce Street.

Nominations can be made online here. For more information about the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, including eligibility requirements, the nomination process, or to request translation services, visit tacomavenues.org or email communityevents@cityoftacoma.org.