Rev. Gregory Johnson greets audience members on his way to the stage to recite Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech during Ocean City's ceremony in 2023.
Ocean City annually honors residents of Ocean City with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award.
The award is given to those who exemplify the philosophy and ideas of the late Dr. King, who worked to advance civil rights, equal education, labor rights, voter rights and who fought racial inequality through non-violence and civil disobedience.
The award particularly emphasizes volunteer activity and service to the people and community of Ocean City by a person outside of a work setting for a minimum of two years.
Ocean City is now seeking nominations for the 2025 award. A committee appointed by the Department of Community Services will select the award recipient and finalists from the nominations.
The nominee and nominator will be notified by Dec. 15 and honored on Jan. 20, 2025, during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony at the Ocean City Music Pier. The ceremony starts at 12 p.m.
Nominations can be made online at ocnj.us/MLKNomination and must be submitted no later than Dec. 8.
