MLK Association to Honor 2026 John Lewis and Rosa Parks Award Recipients
Black men and women who have strengthened the Asheville community through service, leadership, and a commitment to justice.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County will recognize four outstanding community leaders at the 2026 John Lewis and Rosa Parks Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the Stephens Lee Community Center at 30 George Washington Carver Avenue in downtown Asheville.
Each year, the association honors servant leaders whose work reflects the legacy of the Civil Rights movement and the values championed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman John Lewis, and Rosa Parks. These awards recognize Black men and women who have strengthened the Asheville community through service, leadership, and a commitment to justice.
Award recipients are recognized for their efforts to: foster a culture of inclusion within the Asheville community; work toward a more just society for disadvantaged communities; exemplify a philosophy of nonviolence in pursuit of a better life for non-majority people; and inspire direct action in the cause of social justice.
2026 John Lewis Award Recipients are Mr. Mychal Bacoate, President of the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and Chairman of the Asheville Housing Authority, and Mr. D. Tyrell McGirt, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Asheville.
The 2026 Rosa Parks Award Recipients are Ms. Nicole Cush, Executive Board Catalyst with LEAF Global Arts and founder of The Glitter Sisters Inc., and Ms. Priscilla Robinson, noted Southside historian, writer, and community activist.
These honorees have demonstrated a deep commitment to community service, leadership, and advancing equity in Asheville and Buncombe County.
The community is invited to attend the awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of these leaders and reflect on the continuing work of justice, inclusion, and civic engagement.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County works to honor the legacy of Dr. King through community engagement, education, and recognition of individuals whose leadership advances justice, equality, and opportunity for all.
For more information, please visit mlkasheville.org.
