Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr, Association for Nonviolence

Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr, Association for NonviolencePhiladelphia Martin Luther King, Jr, Association for NonviolencePhiladelphia Martin Luther King, Jr, Association for Nonviolence
Home
About
King Holiday Events
  • Awards and Benefit Lunch
  • Nat'l Bell Ceremony
  • 42nd Annual Luncheon
  • 40th Nat'l Bell Ceremony
  • Sponsorships/Tickets
Programs
  • College for Teens
  • CFT Registration
Help for Families
  • Food Distribution
  • Kids Serving Kids
  • Christmas for Children
Gallery
Lest We Forget
Contact/Volunteer
Non-Discriminatory

Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr, Association for Nonviolence

Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr, Association for NonviolencePhiladelphia Martin Luther King, Jr, Association for NonviolencePhiladelphia Martin Luther King, Jr, Association for Nonviolence
Home
About
King Holiday Events
  • Awards and Benefit Lunch
  • Nat'l Bell Ceremony
  • 42nd Annual Luncheon
  • 40th Nat'l Bell Ceremony
  • Sponsorships/Tickets
Programs
  • College for Teens
  • CFT Registration
Help for Families
  • Food Distribution
  • Kids Serving Kids
  • Christmas for Children
Gallery
Lest We Forget
Contact/Volunteer
Non-Discriminatory
More
  • Home
  • About
  • King Holiday Events
    • Awards and Benefit Lunch
    • Nat'l Bell Ceremony
    • 42nd Annual Luncheon
    • 40th Nat'l Bell Ceremony
    • Sponsorships/Tickets
  • Programs
    • College for Teens
    • CFT Registration
  • Help for Families
    • Food Distribution
    • Kids Serving Kids
    • Christmas for Children
  • Gallery
  • Lest We Forget
  • Contact/Volunteer
  • Non-Discriminatory

  • Home
  • About
  • King Holiday Events
    • Awards and Benefit Lunch
    • Nat'l Bell Ceremony
    • 42nd Annual Luncheon
    • 40th Nat'l Bell Ceremony
    • Sponsorships/Tickets
  • Programs
    • College for Teens
    • CFT Registration
  • Help for Families
    • Food Distribution
    • Kids Serving Kids
    • Christmas for Children
  • Gallery
  • Lest We Forget
  • Contact/Volunteer
  • Non-Discriminatory

overview

Annual Awards and Benefit Luncheon

In 1984, the year after the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday was officially enacted, President Ronald Reagan appointed the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King and then-Governor of New Jersey Thomas Kean, to chair the King Federal Holiday Commission, which was charged with determining how the holiday was to be observed.  Mrs. King's vision was to have the holiday commence each year at noon with the ringing of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia--a worldwide symbol of freedom, justice, and equality--echoed by bells throughout the world, including those in Big Ben in London and in the Vatican.  At the request of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc. lead by the Honorable Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, was given the responsibility for this observance since the national holiday honoring Dr. King began.  


Previous National Bell Ringers and Drum Major honorees have included, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Hon. Judge Lynn Toler, Boyz II Men, Hon. Colin Powell, Hon. Edward G. Rendell, Ossie Davis, Cicely Tyson, Melba Moore, Sisters Sledge, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Leon H. Sullivan and Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. to name a few.

It honors individuals and organizations whose deeds are exemplary of the ideals fostered by Dr. King.  The luncheon is a highly visible affair, which has been attended by over 2,000 people, and has been the largest luncheon in honor of Dr. King in the country.  It receives national press coverage because of the ringing of the Liberty Bell at 12:00 noon which officially inaugurates the King Holiday.


Our luncheon has also showcased a who’s who of sponsors, who support the Dream of Dr. King’s Beloved Community.  Previous Corporate Host Sponsors have included, Brown’s Family Shoprite and Pepsi Bottling Company, GMAC Mortgage Corporation, a host sponsor for three consecutive years, Citizens Bank, a host and a co-host sponsor for five year and Verizon.  Other major sponsors have included Amerihealth Mercy, Independence Blue Cross, Lockheed Martin, Comcast, Fedex, UPS, State Farm, Wakefern and the William Penn Foundation, just to name a few.


The Annual Awards and Benefit Luncheon and National Bell Ringing Ceremony are held each year on the King Holiday and always promises to be one filled with excitement, camaraderie and hope for the creation of a truly beloved community.  It is a major source of funding for the King Association and its youth development programs.

Become a Sponsor

As a sponsor of ANNUAL AWARDS AND BENEFIT LUNCHEON, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of those we serve. Your support will help us to expand our programs and services, reach more people in need, and make a lasting difference in the community. CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

TICKETS/SPONSORSHIPS

Former Drum Major honorees

2024 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Daniel Sawyer, Jr.

Esther Sawyer

2023 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Natasha Brown

Ernest Garrett

Chad Dion Lassiter

2021 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Cedar Grove Christian Academy

Share Food Program

Koren L. Parker

Captain Lisa Forrest

Dr. Ala Stanford

2020 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

MCC of Philadelphia

Michael Churchill, Esq.

Chris Woods

2019 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Laura Wooten

Samuel Staten, Jr.

Hon. Jewell Williams

2018 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Louise Moss

Lee Sanders

2017 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Dr. Arthur C. Evans

The Philadelphia Foundation

2016 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Herman “Pete” Matthews

Hon. Marian Tasco

2015 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Ernest Evans “Chubby Checker”

Hon. Edward G. Rendell

2014 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Dr. Joshua Feldstein

Charisse Lillie

Jill Michal

Hon. Nelson Mandela (posthumously)

Dean Weitzman, Esq.

2013 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Queen Mother Fattah

Kathleen Walsh

Lezlie Hiner/Work to Ride Program

2012 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Daniel J. Hilferty

Hon. Renee Cardwell-Hughes

Dr. Warren Smith (posthumously) and Rosa Lee Smith

2011 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Michael A. Rashid

Hon. Ethel Barnett

Jerry L. Johnson

Peter Neufield, Esq.

2010 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Hon. Colleen Alexander

James Bain

Hon. Ethel Barnett

Peter Neufeld, Esq.

2009 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Thelma Arnold Smith

Hon. Lynn Toler

Audrey Thornton-Johnson

2008 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Jeff Brown

Xernona Clayton

Richard “Sonny” Driver

J. Whyatt Mondesire

Intermezzo Choir

2007 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Blanche Burton Lyles

Dr. William J. Shaw

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris

2006 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Hon. Arlen Specter

Rev. Thomas J. Ritter

James Farmer

Rev. Robert Shine

Lisa Thomas-Laury

2005 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Mrs. Bertha Brown                 (cont’d)

2005 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Carl Greene

Trudy Haynes

Bilal Qayyum

Hon. LeAnna Washington

2004 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua

Lois Fernandez

William H. Gray, III

Dr. Edward W. Robinson

Cicely Tyson

2003 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Mr. George Gallup, Jr.

Hon. Chaka Fattah

W. Clinton Pettus

Judith Rodin, Ph.D

Ossie Davis

Sister Sledge

2002 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Ambassador  Andrew Young

G. Carol Johnson

Rev. Father Thomas W.S. Logan

Hon. Gwendolyn Faison

Dr. Donald Paul Wilson

Pastor Wintley Phipps

2001 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Hon. John F. Street

Donald “Ducky Birts

Dr. Sonia Sanchez

Community College of Philadelphia

Samuel London Evans

2000 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Dick Gregory

Rev. Dr. Sarah Potter Smith

Mother Bethel AME Church

The Philadelphia Tribune

1999 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Raymond W. Smith

Eugene and Dr. Karin Bivens

Jean C. W. Smith

Dr. Walter P. Lomax, Jr.

Father Paul M. Washington

1998 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Donn G. Scott

Veronica Joyner

Phile Chionesu and Asia Cooney

Valerie Ambroise

1997 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

George Woods

William & Liller Green

Celeste Harrington Tate

1996 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Hon. Colin L. Powell

Hon. David P. Richardson (Posthumously)

Leona Smith                             

Judge Doris A. Smith

Gerald McEntee

1995 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Judge Harvey Schmidt

Dr. Niara Sudarkasa

Ann Marquess Garrott

Strawbridge and Clothier

1994 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Ann Marquess Garrott

Strawbridge & Clothier

Rev. Robert Johnson-Smith

Dr. Joyce Elders

1993 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Bernice Pree

John C. Haas

Rev. Henry Wells

Myrlie Evers

1992 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Melba Moore

Corestates Financial Corporation

Martin Luther King, III

1991 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Hon. Onah C. Weldon

Joseph Fisher

Norman Braman

1990 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Waverly Easley

Judge Juanita Kidd Stout

Dr. Geraldine R. Segal

James Farmer

1989 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Dr. Bernard C. Watson

Dr. Ruth Hayre

Dr. Benjamin A. Hooks

1988 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Hon. Roxanne Jones

Daisy L. Bates

1987 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Rev. Leon Sullivan

Honorable C. DeLores Tucker

1986 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Bishop Desmond Tutu

1985 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Rev. Thomas J. Ritter

Mr. Harold J. Soregenti

Ms. Rosa Parks

1984 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Mr. Henry Nicholas

Bernard G. Segal, Esq.

Rev. Repsie Warren

1983 DRUM MAJOR HONOREES

Dr. Edward L. Clark

SmithKline-Beecham

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