2025 John Lewis and Rosa Parks Awards
Honoring those who have made remarkable contributions to our community.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville & Buncombe County, through its Community Outreach Providing Empowerment (COPE) committee, presented the 2025 John Lewis and Rosa Parks Awards.
The John Lewis and Rosa Parks Awards honor those who have made remarkable contributions to our community through:
- Fostering a culture of inclusion in the Asheville community.
- Working to achieve a just society for the disadvantaged.
- Exemplifying a nonviolent philosophy in pursuit of a better life for non-majority people.
- Inspiring direct action in the cause of social justice.
The 2025 John Lewis Award Honorees
Preston Blakely is a dedicated leader in Fletcher, North Carolina, who has been a champion for equity, rural communities, and public service, serving as mayor since 2021 while actively contributing to numerous boards and commissions both locally and nationally.
Rev. Alfred E. Blount is a dedicated pastor, community leader, and educator who has served as the spiritual guide for Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church, where he has fostered growth and outreach while continuing his commitment to education and service in both his church and the broader community.
Lawrence Gilliam is a dedicated community leader and advocate with over 20 years of public service, known for his work in education, youth empowerment, and social justice, including organizing efforts, writing millions in federal grants, and championing the transformation of public housing while also serving in leadership roles across various local organizations and initiatives.
Bernard Vernon Oliphant (posthumous) was a decorated US Army veteran, a dedicated member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and a tireless community advocate, whose life was defined by his service, leadership, and unwavering devotion to family, faith, and civic engagement.
The 2025 Rosa Parks Award Honorees
Elinor Brown-Earle is a passionate community leader with over 20 years of public service, known for her advocacy in education, housing, and social justice, including organizing efforts during the Asheville High School riot, securing millions in federal grants, transforming public housing, and volunteering for numerous local initiatives supporting youth, veterans, and civil rights.
Jennifer Horton, a lifelong Buncombe County resident, is the first African American woman to serve as Buncombe County Commissioner for District 1, a Registered Nurse, and the founder of Living Waters Enterprises, LLC, where she has dedicated her career to advocating for mental health, affordable housing, and the well-being of vulnerable populations while balancing her role as a devoted wife and mother of four.
Judge Jacqueline “Jackie” Grant is the first woman and person of color to serve as a Resident Superior Court Judge for Buncombe County, having been appointed by Governor Roy Cooper in 2021 and elected by the citizens of Buncombe County in 2022 after a distinguished 25-year career as a litigator and partner at Roberts & Stevens, and serving in various leadership roles including as the first African American woman to lead the Buncombe County Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association.
To learn more about the Dr. Martin Luther King Association of Asheville & Buncombe County, visit mlkasheville.org.
