News

Award Recipients Announced for 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration

Award Recipients Announced for 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration

Photo: Shutterstock


CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — On Wednesday, the MLK Countywide Committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee announced the names of those being honored at the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration on Sunday, January 18.

The event celebrates the legacy of Dr. King and the ongoing efforts of individuals and organizations in Champaign County who are embodying his vision of justice, equality, and service.

The three community members will be honored with an award in recognition of their work to uphold the principles and ideals of Dr. King are:

  • Dr. Jeffery Trask – James R. Burgess, Jr./Susan Freiburg Humanitarian Award
  • Dr. Stephanie Cockrell – Doris Hoskins Prestigious Community Service Award
  • Martel Miller – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration will take place at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana) on Sunday, January 18. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. and the event starts at 5:00 p.m. This year’s featured keynote speaker is State Representative Carol Ammons.

The MLK Countywide Committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee looks forward to continuing to recognize the commitment of community members, while also honoring the significant contributions to civil and human rights practiced by Dr. King.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration is sponsored by the City of Champaign, City of Urbana, Champaign County, Parkland College, University of Illinois, and the Village of Rantoul. For more information, please visit: MLK Countywide Celebration – City of Champaign.

Recent Headlines

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Judge dismisses Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit to reclaim master recordings from Universal Music Group

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote on Thursday sided with the recording giant, arguing that the Grammy-winning group never owned the copyrights to their sound recordings and didn't transfer them to anyone else.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman sells for $15 million

A rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman and also was once stolen from the home of actor Nicolas Cage has been sold for a record $15 million.

3 days ago in Entertainment

Sarah Jessica Parker gets Golden Globes’ Carol Burnett Award and Helen Mirren gets DeMille prize

Matthew Broderick presented his wife of nearly 30 years Sarah Jessica Parker with the Golden Globes'Carol Burnett Award for a life of achievement in television at Golden Eve, a ceremony that also added Helen Mirren to the list of legends that have won the Cecil B. DeMille Award.

3 days ago in Entertainment

David Bowie’s childhood home in London is set to open to the public next year

David Bowie's bedroom could soon be London's newest tourist attraction. The house where the musician grew from suburban schoolboy to rock 'n' roll starman has been bought by a charity that plans to open it to the public.

4 days ago in Entertainment

Live-action ‘Tangled’ will star Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider

Disney will let down Rapunzel's lengthy hair once again. Walt Disney Pictures said Wednesday its live-action adaptation of "Tangled" will star Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim in the lead roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.