Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards
Our Community Serves with Heart
These annual awards honor individuals from Emory and across Atlanta who lead with love and peace while advocating for justice, embodying the vision of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards started in 1996 under the leadership of Raymond Greenberg, the founding dean of the Rollins School of Public Health, and faculty member Joyce Essien, MD. The program continued for years after through the guidance of James Curran, MD, and leaders from Goizueta Business School, Emory School of Medicine, and Nell Hodgson School of Nursing.
In 2025, the awards were revitalized by the Rollins Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The program was also expanded to include Emory Healthcare and Emory’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This collaborative, multi-institutional event underscores Rollins’ commitment to community partnerships and acknowledging leaders who are advancing social justice and equity.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
2025 Honorees
Start:ME, a program established by Goizueta Business School in 2013, for its work to provide mentorship and grant capital to aspiring entrepreneurs in under-resourced Atlanta communities.
Boxes of Blessings, an Emory student-led organization, for its campaign to fund orphanages and provide resources for children in Sierra Leone.
Center for Black Women’s Wellness, for over 35 years of addressing maternal health disparities, environmental health, and community empowerment in the pursuit of health equity and advocacy.
Yomi Noibi, PhD, for his lifelong contributions to environmental justice, from founding the Atlanta Watershed Learning Network to mentoring future leaders from underrepresented communities.
Zykevise Gamble, for his work addressing the Black maternal health crisis in Georgia, mentorship of future health professionals, and commitment to community engagement and empowerment.
BLKHLTH, a local nonprofit that addresses the impact of racism on Black health, for its dedication to education and advocacy outreach, community engagement, and providing fellowship opportunities for health equity in Atlanta, South Africa, and beyond.
Past MLK Award Winners
2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award Winners Recognized
The Rollins School of Public Health, as part of Emory University's King Week honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., held the 31st Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards.