MLK Community Celebration Humanitarian Awards

​Celebrating Our Community Members

The Humanitarian Awards elevate groups or individuals of all ages who are largely unrecognized for their innovative service or community outreach in our surrounding area. The awards celebrate those who live the idea of MLK every day as well as who inspire us and incorporate service in their lives in ways that are unexpected or filled with care. All age ranges accepted, including students.

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“Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls. as well as a quantitative change in our lives.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Qualifications

• Unrecognized Impact / Unrecognized Champions 

  • Examples of organization that currently serve our community in ways that are well known and recognized include United Way, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Services, and TriCap. We all know and greatly appreciate their contributions and impact. 

• Innovative Service – Everybody Can Serve and Community Healing 

  • Examples include Grant writing, Organizing events, Fundraising for a Cause, Use of voice to bring attention to injustice (through Social Media, Community Organizing, etc.), Changing the way businesses are run 

• Community Outreach 

  • Working with Communities in need (examples include LGBTQ, people experiencing homelessness, children/youth, sexual assault victims/survivors, Indigenous people, African Americans, Latinx, Somali, Asian, etc.) 

• Local Focus 

  • Engaging in community outreach/service within central Minnesota 

 

Nomination Process

 

Submitting a nomination

All nominations must be submitted by November 25, 2025.

Nominations can be submitted in a variety of formats, including:

 

• Online form (Bottom of this page)

• Email electronic submissions (video or audio) to: createcommunity2003@gmail.com

• Mail handwritten nominations to: Create CommUNITY
  1201 7th Street South, St. Cloud, MN 56301

• Please note, winners from 2025 cannot be nominated for 2026.

 

Notifying award winners

 

Award recipients will be notified in advance of the event and invited to attend the event on January 19, 2026 ceremony.

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Past Recipients

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2025:

Fe y Justicia (Faith and Justice) – a non-profit that inspires change by empowering the Latinx community in central Minnesota through leadership, impactful programs, community meetings, and education on issues that matter most.

Carmen Carlson – as a community paramedic, she advocates for and gives a voice to those who are underserved/underrepresented, coordinates care that is personalized and supportive, and is helping to reshape the way healthcare is delivered in the community.

2024:

Abdikadir Bashir and CAIRO (Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization) – for his extraordinary commitment, innovative prowess, and unwavering dedication to community work which has altered the landscape of Refugee communities in St. Cloud by spearheading transformative initiatives within the CAIRO community.
Natalie Ratha – serving as an inspiration of change to ensure that there is diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging by making sure the St. Cloud Area School District 742 Department of Transportation staff reflects students school district serves. She spearheaded a monumental shift from a mere 3% non-white representation to an astounding 41%.
Pastor Michael Laidlaw and OIF Dream Center – for providing a safe place for men coming from jails and prisons as they rebuild their lives, assisting them with their day to day needs, reuniting with their families, and learning how to care for themselves while becoming an active and supportive member of the community.
Njeri Clement – embodying the life of creating change through community organizing, she has emerged as a community leader in her role as Director of Cultural Fluency, Equity & Inclusion at SCTCC and engagement with organizations that serve immigrant women, African immigrants and refugees, Indigenous people, and people experiencing homelessness; not only leading the community but bringing others along with her.

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2023:
Lyda Avila – as a change agent for health equity who thinks outside of the box to find solutions to complex social issues, and a well-known resource within the Latinx community and beyond
Sangeeta Jha – for her work as a social justice advocate, educator, mentor, and leader who organizes communities by creating programming, facilitating discussions, encouraging creativity, and building future leaders.

 

2022:
Dennis Whipple – for his foundational vision, passion, and leadership at GREAT Theatre, and building an engaging theater aimed at being inclusive
Feeding Area Children Together (FACT) – for their work to feed children in central Minnesota and bridge the gap for students on weekends and breaks from school
Florence Orionzi – as a leader, a mentor, and an inspiration in the community through her work in education, cultural transition, and immigrant support
Keshia Anderson-King – for her caring, devoted, and “above and beyond” efforts to provide basic needs and supportive services to families in the community

 

2021:

Arvis Stubbs – for her work giving back to others in need, and her inspiration of others to get involved and make a difference in the community in practical ways
James Turner – as an advocate for meaningful and constructive change in institutions, and his work with youth, their families, and senior citizens to improve their status and wellbeing
Michael Nistler – for his unique approach to inspiring conversations that invite critical reflections on issues of racism, bias, prejudice, and equity
Robert Johnson – as a long-time mentor of a new generation of leaders within the St. Cloud area and a community organizer
St. Cloud Prepper Pals – as a group of volunteers dedicated to being a resource network to get essential food and hygiene items delivered to those in need

 

MLK Community Celebration 2026 Humanitarian Awards

Complete the form below to submit a nomination for the 2026 Humanitarian Awards. As you respond to the questions, please provide specific details to demonstrate the impact, service, and/or outreach that the individual or group has with our community – outside of their professional responsibilities. Feel free to share stories, include links, etc. to offer a full view of this unrecognized champion in Central Minnesota. All age ranges are accepted, including students.