Nominations Can Be Submitted for African American Living Legends Awards That Will Be Presented During 27th Annual Juneteenth Two-Day Celebration

Montgomery County is seeking nominations for its African American Living Legends Awards that honor individuals who are 75 or older and have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy and selfless acts of kindness. The awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 14, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will host the awards presentation.

The awards ceremony will be part of the County’s 27th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, themed “Celebrating Freedom at the Rock: Forever Unshackled.” The community celebration will be from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, also at the BlackRock Center, which is located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown.

“Recognizing living legends within our County is more than just honoring individuals. It is about celebrating the resilience, achievements and contributions of those who have helped shape the cultural heritage of the African American community,” said County Executive Elrich. “These distinguished figures serve as beacons of inspiration, reminding us of our shared history and the ongoing journey toward equity, justice and progress. By acknowledging their impact, we honor their African American legacy and reaffirm our commitment to fostering a community where everyone’s story is valued and uplifted.”

Nominations must be submitted by Saturday, June 1. To nominate an individual, submit a two-page or less narrative explaining why the nominee should be honored. Include a list of their contributions to the community. Nominations will be evaluated, and the County Executive will determine the final selections.

Nominations can be emailed to james.stowe@montgomerycountymd.gov or mailed to Montgomery County Office of Human Rights / African American Living Legend Nomination / 21 Maryland Avenue, Suite 330 / Rockville, MD 20850.

For more information, visit the Office of Human Rights website.

Past honorees of the African American Living Legends Awards include:

• 2023: Henry Hailstock, Theresa Henderson, Pauline Johnson, Shelia Ogilvie, Vernon Ricks, Lt. Colonel Shelton Ware.
• 2022: Ida Pearl Green, Rosalyn Cain King, Anita Neal, Ambassador Curtis Ward, Alma Lewis Williams.
• 2021: Elwood Rafael Gray, Sterling King Jr., Willie Mackey King, John Macklin, Hercules Pinkney.
• 2020: No Event.
• 2019: Winston A. Anderson, Irene Coleman, Warren Crutchfield, Arva M. Jackson, The Reverend Ruby Reese Moone, Arthur L. Williams.
• 2018: Sol Graham, Samuel C. Hamilton. Arthur Holmes, Jr., Harvey Ziegler.
• 2017: Christine Clarke, Wilma K. Holmes, Ruby A. Rubens, Odessa M. Shannon.
• 2016: Delores Lincoln-Willis.
• 2015: Irma Ramsey Cuéllar, Marilyn Hughes Gaston, Lorena Elizabeth Mosby.