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.

2017 Awards:
Community Building: Wayne McLaughlin
Cultural Awareness: Alpha Kappa Sorority, Lima Chapter
Economic Opportunity: JumpStart, Inc.
Health Equity and Awareness: Katie Potter
Social Justice: Phillip Morton
Governor's Humanitarian Award: Mackenzie Lewis

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

Student Speakers:
Elena Earley, Primary Division
Mackenzie Lewis, Intermediate Division
Playon Patrick, Junior Division
Ivy Holley, Senior Division

Additional Speakers:
Rev. Richard Burnett, Trinity Episcopal Church
Rev. Joel L. King, Vice Chair, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
Will Lucas, Chair, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
Mary Taylor, Lieutenant Governor
Napoleon Bell, Commissioner
Robert Gordon, Commissioner
David Jehnsen, Commissioner
Dorothy Lovell-Jones, Commissioner
Rev. Lorenzo Norris, Commissioner
McKinley Brown, Commissioner, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
Dr. Fannie L. Brown, Commissioner, Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
Rabbi Harold Berman, Tifereth Israel, Columbus, Ohio

Music:
Ellisa Coston, Trinity Baptist Church, Columbus
Berwick Alternative K-8 School Choir, Columbus