The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Breakfast, held Friday at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, honored not only King but also five Phoenix citizens who were recognized for their dedication and contributions to the community.
“I go to many events and this is among one of my favorites,” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said.
Individuals are recognized each year for their accomplishments within the City of Phoenix that make a difference.
“You get to honor Dr. King and what he represents for everyone across the country and across the world,” Stanton said.
The Rev. Dr. Bernard Black, Lt. Col. Allen E. Kirksey, Jason H. Green, Jennifer Longdon and Dr. Robert Sherman were honored at the breakfast.
Black, of the South Phoenix Missionary Baptist Church, was awarded the 2013–2014 MLK Legacy Award for his dedication as a civic leader and to the church. Black has served as a pastor since 1965.
Kirksey was the recipient for the 2014 Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to those who defend civil rights through promoting social and economic justice in order to make the City of Phoenix a better place.
Kirksey is the 161st Air Refueling Wing Chief of Staff for the Air National Guard. He has volunteered for more than 20 years as a mentor through the Roosevelt School District, the Phoenix Union High School District and the South Phoenix Missionary Baptist Church, focusing on “at risk” children in the South Phoenix area.
“You’re always someone’s example on how to make it,” Kirksey said. “Don’t you ever let them down.”
Green, Longdon and Sherman were the recipients of the 2014 MLK Living the Dream Award, which is given to recognize citizens who live out their dreams to conquer social injustice.
Green is one of the organizers for the Arizona Black AIDS Task Force and founder of local non-profit United Gay Informed Men of African Descent. As the author of “The ABCs of Coming Out,” he is an advocate for marriage equality.
“It’s been 18 years since I’ve been with my partner and we still don’t have the right to get married,” Green said.
Longdon was a victim of gun violence that left her permanently paralyzed. She spoke of personal experiences that have limited her abilities, which resulted in her becoming one of the most outspoken advocates for others with disabilities.
“I am living proof that gun violence doesn’t happen to those people and in those places,” Longdon said.
Sherman is the founder of the Arizona African Association. Through this, he has been able to strengthen the relationship between the city of Phoenix and African communities. Serving as the president of the Liberian Association, he has been able to bring African ambassadors to Phoenix and work with refugees in order to further solidify the relationships with the city.
“We want to extend the dream,” Sherman said. “There are 667 million people in Africa that don’t have drinking water. Technologies we have in Arizona are technologies Africans are looking for.”
“Here, we look at the best of the best. Leaders that make a big difference in this community, and we get to honor them,” Stanton said.
Editor’s note: Jennifer Longdon is News Editor Matt Longdon’s mother. He was not involved in the writing or reporting of this article.
Contact the reporter at ruby.ramirez.1@asu.edu
