Myrtle Beach Leaders Celebrate MLK Day with Community Honors

Rusty Ray - WBTW

Businesses, everyday heroes, and community leaders all were recognized at the 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Corporate and Community Awards in Myrtle Beach on Monday morning.

Organizers say there is no better way to honor the legacy of the late civil rights leader than to honor those who move the causes of equality, heroism, and service in the community today.

“We recognize that Myrtle Beach can only be what it should be and can be if we’re all working together,“ said Bennie Swans, Jr., a member of the Martin Luther King Planning Committee. “We’re talking about building coalitions, (and) beginning to further address the ills that impact our society,“ he said.
The honorees included Myrtle Beach Municipal Court Chief Justice Jennifer Wilson, recipient of this year’s Justice Award. Judge Wilson is the first African-American woman to be named to that position in Myrtle Beach.
Also honored was Ms. Brenda Williams, who is still recovering from serious injuries after she recently fought off an attacker who preyed on an elderly woman and tried to snatch the woman’s purse. The committee awards members of Williams’ family this year’s Good Samaritan Award.

Honored with this year’s Human Service Award were Dr. Lloyd T. Reid and his wife, Theresa. The Philadelphia-area couple have donated large sums of money to the completion of the Low Lands Human Development Center.
This year’s Professional Service Award went to Doug Davis, Program Director for Cumulus Radio in Myrtle Beach. The committee recognized Davis’ work to promote community projects through the local radio stations to benefit others.

The Service Organization for Change Award went to Jason Greene of Feed A Family, a non-profit organization he helped found in 2006. The group helped feed several hundred needy families in the area this past holiday season.

This year’s Booker T. Washington Community Service Award went to members of the Myrtle Beach Police Department, on behalf of Officers Doug Nicholls and Lisa Wilson. The pair have become active in city neighborhoods by getting out the community watch effort to reduce crime.

Musical performances, and a rousing full rendition of Dr. King’s famed “I Have A Dream” speech by C.J. Gore highlighted Monday’s breakfast event. WBTW News13’s Thema Ponton and Cumulus Radio’s Monique Williams served as mistresses of ceremonies for the event.

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