Humanitarian Awards
Nominate a community member
Celebrating Our Community Members
The Humanitarian Awards elevate groups or individuals of all ages who are largely unrecognized for their innovative service or community outreach in our surrounding area. The awards celebrate those who live the idea of MLK every day as well as who inspire us and incorporate service in their lives in ways that are unexpected or filled with care. All age ranges accepted, including students.
“Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls
as well as a quantitative change in our lives.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
Congratulations to our 2025 Humanitarian Award Winners
Carmen Carlson
Carmen Carlson is a dedicated and innovative community paramedic playing a pivotal role in supporting individuals with complex needs, including those experiencing homelessness. Carmen delivers care where it’s needed, meeting patients in shelters or non-traditional settings, and ensuring they receive the care and services needed. Her work with programs like Project HEAL, a volunteer-led medical outreach program, and her leadership in initiatives such as vaccination clinics, demonstrate her commitment to addressing healthcare inequities and bridging gaps in access to medical services.
Carmen’s approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and holistic care. She collaborates with shelters, food banks, housing programs, and social service organizations to create a network of care that reaches individuals in need, to help them achieve long-term stability and wellness. Her ability to amplify the voices of the underserved, coupled with her dedication to fostering equity and dignity in healthcare, has made her an indispensable leader. Through her advocacy and outreach, Carmen exemplifies the power of building trust and meeting individuals with empathy and respect.
Thank you, Carmen, for helping to reshape the way healthcare is delivered in the community.
"Being a Community Paramedic with CentraCare gives me a sense of purpose and the opportunity to serve people in our community experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health concerns. It makes my day when patients say “you really care”- That’s why I do what I do. I am so very grateful for the amazing teams of people in our community and humbled by their dedication and commitment to serve others." - Carmen Carlson
Fe y Justicia
Fe y Justicia, or Faith and Justice, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Latinx community, with a mission to provide training to its members so they become strong community leaders. The organization fosters a vision of inclusivity, kindness, and justice through leadership development, community engagement, and educational initiatives. They advocate for transformative policies like driver’s licenses for all, health insurance access, and safe workplace conditions. By addressing systemic challenges, Fe y Justicia ensures that underserved populations have the tools and opportunities to advocate for their rights and well-being.
Central to Fe y Justicia’s impact is Ma Elena Gutierrez, whose tireless efforts exemplify leadership and compassion. Me Elena approaches her mission with relentless energy and an unwavering commitment to equity. Her work goes beyond organizational boundaries; she connects with individuals in need, listens to and uplifts their stories, and seeks innovative solutions to their challenges. Whether advocating for labor rights, providing immigration assistance, or fostering community connections, Ma Elena embodies a deep understanding of the struggles faced by vulnerable populations and creates pathways for representation and systemic change.
Thank you, Fe y Justicia, for being a beacon of hope, strength, and justice in our region.
"I am inspired by my faith and I believe that if we act there is still hope but if we don't act we fail to spread the seed of justice in others." - Ma Elena Gutierrez
Humanitarian Award Qualifications
Nomination ProcessÂ
Submitting a Nomination
- Nomination information for 2026 will be posted in late 2025.
- Nominations can be submitted in a variety of formats, including:
- Online form
- Email electronic submissions (video or audio) to: mlk@stcloudstate.edu
- Mail handwritten nominations to: Office for Institutional Equity & Access, St. Cloud State University, 720 4th Ave S AS 121, St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
Note: Winners from 2025 cannot be nominated for 2026.
Award recipients will be notified in advance of the event and invited to attend the January 19, 2026 ceremony.
Past Recipients
| Name | Year | Service/Outreach |
| Abdikadir Bashir and CAIRO (Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization) | 2024 | Extraordinary commitment, innovative prowess, and unwavering dedication to community work which has altered the landscape of Refugee communities in St. Cloud through transformative initiatives within the CAIRO community |
| Njeri Clement | 2024 | Embodies the life of creating change through community organizing, she has emerged as a community leader as Director of Cultural Fluency, Equity & Inclusion at SCTCC and in her engagement with organizations that serve immigrant women, African immigrants and refugees, Indigenous people, and people experiencing homelessness. |
| Pastor Michael Laidlaw and OIF Dream Center | 2024 | Provides a safe place for men coming from jails and prisons as they rebuild their lives, assisting them with their day-to-day needs, reuniting with their families, and learning how to care for themselves while becoming active and supportive members of the community. |
| Natalie Ratha | 2024 | Serves as an inspiration of change to ensure that there is diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging by making sure the St. Cloud Area School District 742 Department of Transportation staff reflects students school district serves. She spearheaded a monumental shift from a mere 3% non-white representation to an astounding 41%. |
| Lyda Avila | 2023 | Change agent for health equity who thinks outside of the box to find solutions to complex social issues, and a well-known resource within the Latinx community and beyond. |
| Sangeeta Jha | 2023 | Social justice advocate, educator, mentor, and leader who organizes communities by creating programming, facilitating discussions, encouraging creativity, and building future leaders. |
| Dennis Whipple | 2022 | Foundational vision, passion, and leadership at GREAT Theatre, and building an engaging theater aimed at being inclusive |
| Feeding Area Children Together (FACT) | 2022 | For their work to feed children in central Minnesota and bridge the gap for students on weekends and breaks from school |
| Florence Orionzi | 2022 | Leader, mentor, and an inspiration in the community through her work in education, cultural transition, and immigrant support |
| Keshia Anderson-King | 2022 | Caring, devoted, and “above and beyond” efforts to provide basic needs and supportive services to families in the community |
| Arvis Stubbs | 2021 | For her work giving back to others in need, and her inspiration of others to get involved and make a difference in the community in practical ways |
| James Turner | 2021 | Advocate for meaningful and constructive change in institutions, and his work with youth, their families, and senior citizens to improve their status and wellbeing |
| Michael Nistler | 2021 | for his unique approach to inspiring conversations that invite critical reflections on issues of racism, bias, prejudice, and equity |
| Robert Johnson | 2021 | Long-time mentor of a new generation of leaders within the St. Cloud area and a community organizer |
| Cloud Prepper Pals | 2021 | Group of volunteers dedicated to being a resource network to get essential food and hygiene items delivered to those in need |