About the Event
Every year students throughout Pinellas County are honored for their commitment and dedication to community service, volunteerism, and civil rights, as well as perseverance in overcoming challenges. In 2025, the 6th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Banquet drew more than 100 people to the University Student Center ballrooms for an evening filled with powerful talks about the meaning of Dr. King’s life and ideals, and an award presentation to students following in his footsteps.
the 7th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards
"Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
Featuring a keynote presentation by Dr. Sheron Brown, Director of Education & Youth Opportunities for the City of St. Petersburg.
When: January 22, 2026 at 6pm
Where: USF St. Petersburg Student Center Ballrooms
The award will be presented to select Pinellas County elementary, middle and high school students, and USF St. Petersburg campus undergraduates who:
- Exhibit extraordinary commitment and dedication to community service, volunteerism, and/or civil rights
- Exhibit leadership that has significantly impacted their community
- Have persevered to overcome challenges, either at school or personally
About the keynote presenter - Dr. Sheron Brown
Dr. Sheron Brown is the Director of Education and Youth Opportunities for the City of St. Petersburg. She works with schools, community organizations, and young people to help create programs and opportunities that support learning, career pathways, and personal growth—from early childhood through young adulthood.
With more than 20 years of experience in education and community leadership, Dr. Brown has been a teacher, school leader, coach, and advocate for youth across the country. In her current role, she helps shape citywide initiatives that focus on real-world skills, creativity, and well-being, while navigating the politics of fairness and transparency that come with public-sector work.
Dr. Brown holds a Ph.D. in Education and is a TEDx speaker who believes young people are already whole, capable, and full of possibility. Her work is rooted in listening, collaboration, and helping youth see themselves as leaders in their schools, neighborhoods, and futures.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring? Please contact Kyonna Henry at henryk2@usf.edu
Special thanks to our planning committee: Kyonna Henry, Carolina Nutt, Tyler Monestime, Samantha Fiore, Daniel Wood, Colleen Cherry, Lexi Wilson, and Bethany Alex.