The Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission annually selects one Adult Leadership Award winner and one Youth Leadership Award winner to individuals whose actions demonstrate great service in promoting Dr. Martin Luther King’s ideals to further diversity justice and equality for all. Nominees must demonstrate racial equity, interracial harmony, economic justice and dedication to Dr. King’s in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Coy Booker earned the Youth Leadership Award and Nadiya Williams earned the Adult Leadership Award for the state of Kentucky.

“It feels amazing winning an award that means so much and being nominated to even get the opportunity to receive such an award,” said senior Nadiya Williams. “I am honored to have been nominated and better yet chosen for this award. It means more than you may know to have name in recognition with Martin Luther King Jr. His dream is just as relevant today as it was then, and I cannot stress how thankful I am,” she said.

The Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission is affiliated with the Kentucky Heritage Council. It is made up of members nominated by the Governor from diverse backgrounds in Kentucky life, including individuals associated with labor, industry, commerce, government, civil rights, education, youth organizations, sports, fine arts and entertainment. It is the Commission’s duty to promote unity, equality and justice for all people in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States and the world.