COLUMBUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission today announced the winners of the annual Ohio MLK Awards, which honor the service and achievements of Ohio residents and organizations in areas consistent with the teachings and example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Congratulations to these Ohioans who live by Dr. King’s principles of freedom, equality, justice, liberty, individuality, and respect,” said Governor DeWine. “We honor them for their contributions and service to their communities.”
The Commission will present the awards at noon on Thursday, Jan. 16, during the 40th Annual Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration. The event will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, located in downtown Columbus at the southeast corner of Third and Broad streets. The celebration, which will be livestreamed and rebroadcast on The Ohio Channel, will also feature student speakers from the 2024 Statewide MLK Oratorical Contest.
“The Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission congratulates these outstanding Ohioans for working to fulfill the dreams and ideas of Dr. King,” said Christina Rodriguez, chair of the Commission. “This year’s award winners are selfless, servant-led leaders who go the extra mile and place others before their own needs.”
The Commission, which receives administrative support from the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, advocates Dr. King’s principles of nonviolent change and the pursuit of racial, social, and economic justice. It annually hosts the award ceremony in January leading up to the MLK holiday, along with the Statewide MLK Oratorical Contest in the spring.
Award Recipients:
Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Governor’s Humanitarian Award – Deacon Royce Winters (Cincinnati)
Deacon Royce Winters is recognized for his unwavering commitment to promoting the welfare of humanity through the elimination of pain and suffering. As the Director of African American Pastoral Ministries for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Crescent Parishes Director of Evangelization at the Church of the Resurrection, Deacon Winters has been a powerful force for change. His initiatives facilitate the affirmation, acceptance, and inclusion of people of African heritage within the Catholic Church. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Xavier Jesuit Academy, advocating for education as a means to dismantle barriers that perpetuate poverty.
Individual Award –(Springfield)
Arlon Nash, an educator and entrepreneur, is honored for his work using American Sign Language (ASL) to bridge the gaps between the hearing and Deaf communities. He has taught ASL for over 20 years and co-owns an ASL interpreting and caption printing agency. Nash is a strong advocate for teaching hearing people about Deaf culture and connecting the hearing community with Deaf culture through outreach and performance opportunities.
Collaborative Effort Award – The Change Wall (Toledo)
The Change Wall, a mural located on an exterior wall of Glenwood Lutheran Church, is recognized for its role as a catalyst for positive change and unity. The mural features a prominent representation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. surrounded by a rainbow of colors and positive action words. It was created to inspire viewers to reflect on how they can turn their words into deeds, fostering community-driven collaboration.
Organization Award – The Junction Coalition (Toledo)
The Junction Coalition is honored for its work in promoting social, environmental, economic, and peace education within Toledo’s Junction neighborhood. The organization uses grassroots activism to protect the rights of vulnerable populations and dismantle systemic barriers. Its initiatives include health equity campaigns, youth education and workforce development programs, and housing assistance programs focused on energy efficiency.
For more information about the award recipients and the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration, visit the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission’s website.