MLK award to honor community contributors
Two years after unveiling a monument in memory of Martin Luther King Jr., Coral Springs is preparing to introduce an award to honor individuals, business or organizations embodying the values of Dr. King.
The award, which will be given out from 2018, will consist of a large replica of the monument that was unveiled a couple of years ago at Northwest Regional Library in the city. The award winner as well as the finalists for the award will be honored at one of the events organized by the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Committee to celebrate King
“We want to keep the monument alive by introducing this award,” Joyce Campos, the city’s Community Relations Coordinator, told city officials. “There is a lot of unity and harmony in the city and we want to recognize that.”
It was Mark Gendal, former chairman of the MLK committee, who came up with the idea of the award. A committee will be formed to select the winner. A plaque with the names of the winners will be displayed at City Hall, said Campos.
“It is a great idea; I wish we had done it sooner,” said Vice Mayor Dan Daley, who is the city commission liaison to the MLK Committee. “The award is an excellent opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond to carry forward Dr. King’s legacy. I continue to be inspired by the work our volunteers do.”
Current elected officials or running candidates should not be a member of the committee that will pick the award winner, Daley said. Commissioner Larry Vignola was of the opinion that the award criteria was vague.
The city’s MLK monument, created by Dari Artist, was dedicated on January 15, 2016. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, her art works have found a plane in in private and corporate collections, both locally and internationally. The Lac Du Bonnet Pillar, which is made of coral colored granite, stands for equality, freedom of speech, unity and democracy while the Raven Black monument stands for the Rainbow coalition, and Dr. King. The base is made of Mesabi black granite.