Living Legends Awards Celebrates 20th Anniversary Honoring Community Champions

The Living Legends Awards for Service to Humanity will host its milestone 20th annual event, recognizing four remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to community service and social change. The awards ceremony, themed 'Champions of Change,' will take place on Saturday, February 22, at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland. Founded in 2006 by Doreen Hines, the initiative aims to educate and inspire young people by showcasing individuals who exemplify service. Over two decades, the awards have honored more than 50 outstanding community leaders, including notable figures such as U.S. Congressman John Lewis and Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee.

This year's honorees represent diverse fields of community impact. Joseph McCoy will be recognized for his advocacy within the faith community, while Jason Holt and Angela Holder are celebrated as Champions of Restorative Justice. David R. Williams will be honored for his leadership in social science and health equity. The event provides a unique opportunity for community members to engage with and learn from individuals who have made significant contributions to society. Attendees can expect an evening of inspiring stories, networking, and celebration that highlights the transformative power of dedicated service.

Since its inception, the Living Legends Awards has sought to illuminate stories of individuals who make meaningful differences in their local and global communities. By showcasing these remarkable achievements, the foundation hopes to motivate ordinary people to create positive change in their own spheres of influence. The ceremony's 20th anniversary marks a significant milestone in recognizing sustained commitment to humanitarian work, reinforcing the importance of grassroots leadership in addressing societal challenges. This ongoing recognition serves as a vital counter-narrative to celebrity culture, emphasizing that true influence stems from consistent, often unheralded, service to others.

The selection of honorees across different sectors—faith, justice reform, and public health—demonstrates the interconnected nature of social progress. Each recipient's work contributes to a broader ecosystem of community wellbeing, illustrating how specialized efforts collectively advance human dignity. The awards' longevity suggests a growing public appreciation for service-based leadership models, particularly as communities navigate complex social issues. By maintaining this tradition for two decades, the Living Legends Awards has established itself as a reliable platform for validating community-driven change, encouraging continued investment in local leadership development and cross-sector collaboration for lasting impact.