The King Center Hosts Red Carpet Reception And MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards

Bernice King attends The 2025 Beloved Community Awards at Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park on January 18, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Carol Lee Rose / Getty

This past weekend, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change hosted a red carpet ceremony before an awards ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations keeping Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy alive.

The red carpet reception featured a number of celebrities before the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards ceremony took place in Atlanta on Saturday night, just days ahead of the annual Martin.

Among those who were on the red carpet at the Omni hotel at Centennial Olympic Park were Dr. Bernice A. King, the CEO of The King Center; actress Trina Braxton, who also hosted the red carpet reception; actor Tanner Thomason; actress Jennifer Lewis; HeadKrack, the co-host of Dish Nation; and saxophonist and songwriter Kirk Whalum.

The MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards featured performances by MaKenzie Thomas, CommUNITY ATL and others.

King Center EmPow”her” Program attends The 2025 Beloved Community Awards at Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park on January 18, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Carol Lee Rose / Getty

Some of the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards and their winners include:

• Beloved Community Civic Leadership Award – Black Voters Matter – accepted by LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright, Co-Founders
• Beloved Community Technological Innovation Award – PSYONIC
• Beloved Community Christine King Farris Legacy of Service in Education Award – Morris Brown, Accepted by: Dr. Kevin E. James, President
• Beloved Community Yolanda D. King Higher Ground Award – Jenifer Lewis -Actress, Singer, Author, Activist
• Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (Individual) – Heman Bekele, Student Scientist
• Beloved Community Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation Award – Nadia Murad – President & Chairwoman of Nadia’s Initiative and Nobel Peace Laureate
• Beloved Community Corporate Social Impact Award – MARS, Inc.
• Beloved Community Social Justice Award – AIDS Healthcare Foundation
• Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award – Serenbe
• Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award ( Organization) –  Latin American Association
• Beloved Community Salute to Greatness Humanitarian Award  – Laura Arnold, Founder and Co-Chair of Arnold Ventures

The King Center is based in Atlanta and hosts the MLK, Jr. Beloved Community Awards every year.

The King Center describes the MLK, Jr. Beloved Community Awards as honoring “national and international individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, pursue social justice, and are helping to create the Beloved Community, as envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

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MLK Day Meets MAGA Day: The Civil Rights Movement’s Worst Plot Twist

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Most Riveting Quotes

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