John Lewis
Congressman & civil rights leader
2026 Award Season
Our 21st Ceremony has concluded
Reexperience the power of our 21st Annual Awards Gala with the on-demand stream. As we enter another year, help sustain this work with a donation. Your support empowers the artists and advocates who inspire and uplift at the intersection of arts and social justice.
Past Honorees
Celebrating Living Legends
For two decades we have celebrated the leaders, artists and advocates who have given their lives to building humanity. Meet the legends we've honored at our annual gala.
Leymah Gbowee
Nobel Laureate & peace activist
Nate Mook
World Central Kitchen
Maxine Waters
Activist, Civil Rights
Richard Smallwood
Gospel Singer and Composer
Barbara Arnwine, ESQ
Attorney/Activist
Juan Felipe Herrera
Poet Laureate
Barry Black
U.S. Senate Chaplain & retired Navy Rear Admiral
Sister Helen Prejean
Author & death penalty abolitionist
Johnnetta Betsch Cole
Activist/Anthropologist Women's Studies
Juanita Abernathy
Civil rights activist & organizer
Bob Zellner
Civil rights activist & SNCC organizer
Tribute Films
Stories That Move Us to Serve
At every Awards Gala, each Living Legend is celebrated with a tribute film honoring a lifetime of courage, artistry and service. Watch the stories that have moved our audiences, then join us as we celebrate the next class of humanitarians.
Watch Tribute
2025 Honoree
David R. Williams
Leader in Social Science & Health Equity
Watch Tribute
2025 Honoree
Angela Holder
Champion of Restorative Justice
Watch Tribute
2025 Honoree
Joseph McCoy
Advocate Within Faith Community
Watch Tribute
2024 Honoree
Valencia E. Matthews
Dean CSSAH-FAMU
Watch Tribute
2024 Honoree
Nolan Williams Jr.
Founder/CEO NEWorks Productions
Watch Tribute
2024 Honoree
Donnette Cooper, ESQ
Activist, Visual Arts
Watch Tribute
2023 Honoree
Maxine Waters
Activist, Civil Rights
Watch Tribute
2023 Honoree
Justin Hansford
Activist, Racial Justice
Watch Tribute
2023 Honoree
George Fatheree III
Activist, Social Justice
Be in the room when Legends are honored
Our black-tie Awards Gala is free and open to the public. Your gift keeps these stories reaching new audiences and supports the humanitarians we celebrate.
Beyond the Stage
Humanity Begins With Our Neighbors
Through the Living Legends Foundation, ending food insecurity in Maryland is our permanent charitable endeavor. Your generosity sustains the everyday work of caring for families in our community.
- 1,000
- families fed each month, on average
- 700+
- families served during the Thanksgiving holiday
Figures reflect Living Legends Foundation averages.
Help Nourish Our CommunityAbout Us
Our Mission
The Living Legends Awards for Service to Humanity, Inc., serve at the intersection of the Arts and Social Justice. We harness the universal language of music to encourage all to become active participants in the human symphony. Under the direction of minority conductors, focused on music of minority composers, the Living Legends Awards Singers, our resident artist, grace the concert stage sharing with audiences powerful messages in song. We meet the needs of our community by serving others and inspiring everyone to serve in their own way. Through the use of creative expression we shine a light on those around us who seek to build the best in humanity. We strive to inspire all to give with joy, unite in our humanity, and express themselves creatively.
The Foundation
The Living Legends Awards for Service to Humanity Inc. is a Trademarked name and a registered 501C(3) organization
