Viola Davis, Billie Eilish and others Honored at the MLK Jr Beloved Community Awards

In the climate of America today—marked by political division, social unrest, healthcare inequities, economic instability, and global uncertainty—the call for moral leadership has never been louder. Across the United States and beyond, communities continue to face deep discrepancies: political discrepancies that test democracy, medical and healthcare discrepancies that determine who lives with dignity and who is left behind, business and economic discrepancies that widen opportunity gaps, and social justice discrepancies that disproportionately affect women, immigrants, and marginalized populations.

These realities stand in stark contrast to the vision articulated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a vision rooted in justice, equity, nonviolence, and love for humanity. Decades later, while progress has undeniably been made, the truth remains clear: the work is not finished. There is still room—indeed, an urgent need—for change.

It is within this climate that The King Center continues to stand as a moral compass, advancing Dr. King’s philosophy of the Beloved Community not as a historical concept, but as a living, breathing mandate for action.

Where Legacy Meets Leadership

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, leaders, innovators, artists, activists, and institutions will gather at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta for the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards—an evening that is both a celebration and a charge. More than an awards ceremony, it is a reflection of what it means to live Dr. King’s vision in real time.

What makes this year’s honorees especially significant is this: they have not held their tongues. They have not softened their stances. They have not retreated from their missions in the face of opposition, discomfort, or political pressure. Instead, they have remained unwavering—grounded in their foundations, committed to their causes, and clear about the impact of their work on the world.

Without organizations, without fearless leadership, and without foundations willing to confront injustice head-on, the Beloved Community would remain only an aspiration. And without the stewardship of Bernice A. King, who continues to carry her father’s dream with integrity, courage, and clarity, that vision risks dilution. Dr. Bernice King does not merely preserve her father’s legacy—she activates it, ensuring that the work remains relevant, challenging, and necessary.

Photos from the Red Carpet Courtesy of Carl Agard

Honorees Who Refuse Silence

The 2026 recipients embody the very essence of the Beloved Community—leaders whose work confronts injustice while building solutions that uplift humanity.

Beloved Community Technological Innovation Award

• Cody Soodeen, CEO of Kara Water

Honored for pioneering sustainable air-to-water technology that expands global access to clean drinking water and addresses environmental and humanitarian crises.

Beloved Community Civic Leadership Award

• Dushun Scarborough Sr., Executive Director of the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission

Recognized for steadfast leadership advancing Dr. King’s principles through public service, civic engagement, and education.

Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (Organization)

• LeBron James Family Foundation, accepted by Gloria James

Honored for transformative impact on youth and families through education, advocacy, and generational empowerment.

Beloved Community Social Justice Award

• Presented by Sean Freeman to Monica Ramirez, Founder and President of Justice for Migrant Women

Recognized for fearless advocacy at the intersection of gender, labor, immigration, and human rights.

Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (Individual)

• Dorothy Jean Tillman II, Founder & CEO of the DorothyJenius STEM Leadership Institute

Honored for redefining youth leadership through academic excellence, innovation, and access to STEM education.

Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award

• Singer Billie Eilish

Recognized for using her global platform to advocate unapologetically for environmental responsibility, climate justice, and social accountability.

Beloved Community Yolanda D. King Higher Ground Award

• Warrick Dunn, NFL alumnus, philanthropist, and entrepreneur

Honored for decades of service uplifting families through housing, education, and community investment.

Beloved Community Christine King Farris Legacy of Service in Education Award

• Sesame Workshop, accepted by Valerie Mitchell Johnston

Recognized for shaping generations through inclusive, compassionate, and transformative educational content.

Beloved Community Salute to Greatness – Corporate Social Impact Award

• Cisco, accepted by Brian Tippens

Honored for embedding equity, inclusion, and global responsibility into corporate leadership.

Beloved Community Salute to Greatness – Humanitarian Award

• Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Vista Equity Partners

Recognized for transformative philanthropy and advancing economic justice at scale.

Beloved Community Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation Award

• Presented by Dr. Bernice A. King to Viola Davis

Honored for cultural leadership and storytelling that challenges injustice and shapes the moral conscience of the nation.

Culture as a Catalyst

The evening is hosted by Anika Noni Rose and Aldis Hodge, with powerful performances by Chance the Rapper, October London, Goapele, Syleena Johnson, The CommUnity Choir founded by Deanna Dixon,  and more—reinforcing the role of art as both healing force and catalyst for change.

Gratitude and the Work Ahead

Special thanks are extended to the sponsors, presenters, celebrities, and community partners—including Chris Draft, Karine Jean-Pierre, Rockmond Dunbar, Iain Armitage, Sonia Manzano, Wanjiku Gatheru, BET, and many others—whose presence and support make this work possible.

These moments do not exist without community. They do not continue without commitment. And they do not endure without investment.

The 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards remind us that Dr. King’s dream is not behind us—it is still before us. And through leaders who refuse silence, foundations that stand firm, and communities that believe in justice, the Beloved Community remains not only possible—but necessary.