The Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission was established to recognize Dr. King's significance as a civil rights leader and to honor Ohioans who work to promote diversity and eliminate discrimination through nonviolent methods. Each year, the Commission presents awards to Ohioans to celebrate the life of Dr. King, whose teachings encourage nonviolent actions to secure equal rights for all Americans.

2015 Awards:

Community Building: Master Sgt. Antonia Anderson

Cultural Awareness: John Upshaw

Economic Opportunity: Atiba Thompson

Health Equity and Awareness: Lewis Shine II

Social Justice: Hope Dudley

Youth: Capturing the Vision of Dr. King: Da'Quan Knuckles

Governor's Humanitarian Award: David Price

As part of the celebration, Ohio students who won their age group at the 2014 statewide oratorical contest will present their speeches.

Student Speakers:

James Oran, Fifth Avenue International Alternative Elementary School, Columbus, Ohio

Courtney Stewart, Columbus Preparatory School for Girls, Columbus, Ohio

John Merkel, Lima Senior High School, Lima, Ohio

Additional Speakers:

Rev. Richard Burnett, Trinity Episcopal Church

Rev. Joel L. King, Vice Chair, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

William T. Green, Chair, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

Andre Porter, Director, Ohio Department of Commerce

Robert Gordon, Commissioner, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

David Jehnsen, Commissioner, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

McKinley Brown, Commissioner, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

Dorothy Lovell-Jones, Commissioner, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

Napoleon Bell, Commissioner, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

Dr. Fannie L. Brown, Commissioner, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission

Rabbi Michael Ungar, Tifereth Israel, Columbus, Ohio

Music:

Tamia Nichol Simmons, Abundant Mercy Church of the Living God, Columbus Ohio

Berwick Alternative K-8 School Choir