Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission Seeks Nominations for 2026 Legacy Award

The Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission, a resident-led advisory body, is currently accepting nominations for the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award. The award recognizes individuals, businesses, or organizations whose work reflects the values exemplified by Dr. King.

Nominations must be submitted online by December 1, 2025 at bton.in/26legacy. Eligible nominees should be residents of Monroe County or local organizations with a minimum of one year of service.

The award will be presented at the City’s community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, a free event, open to all residents, held each January.

“The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission works to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by promoting diversity and advocating for justice and racial harmony within the Bloomington community,” said Dr. Gloria Howell, who serves on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission.

In addition to the Legacy Award, the Commission supports Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the 40 Days of Peace service initiatives, and the community-wide King Birthday Celebration. Previous recipients of the Legacy Award include Beverly Calender-Anderson, Sarah McCue, Nancy Cross-Harris, Jeanetta Nelms, Marvin Q. Jones, Bloomington United, Nicole Griffin, the Indiana University Office of Diversity Education, the Rev. E.D. Butler, the Banneker History Project, Elizabeth Mitchell, the Monroe County Racial Justice Task Force, and Guy and Connie Loftman.

For more information, please contact Michelle Moss, Staff Liaison, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission at [email protected] or 812-349-3433.