While icons of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s are rightly celebrated for their historic work to create a better world, each generation must produce its own leaders who forge justice. For that reason, the Torch Awards recognize the contributions of national leaders born after April 4, 1968, the tragic day Dr. King was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Torch Awards honor prominent individuals who contribute to a better world in one of the following categories: Advocacy, Arts, Business, Civil Rights, Education, Entertainment, Government, Health, Law, Media, Philanthropy, Public Safety, Religion, Science, Sports, and Technology. By honoring recipients from all walks of life who light the way to improving humanity, the Torch Awards celebrate torchbearers building the “Beloved Community” that Dr. King envisioned in communities of every kind.

2024 Award Winners

• Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma: Sheriff Lemma serves as the 10th Sheriff of Seminole County, Florida where he leads a department of 1,400 professionals. Sheriff Lemma also served as the President of the Major County Sheriffs of America and as a Board Member of Victoria’s Voice Foundation which brings awareness and prevention of substance abuse, especially among teenagers.
• Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez: Sheriff Sanchez serves as Sheriff of Alameda County, California where she leads a department of 1,200 sworn personnel. Sheriff Sanchez ran on a campaign platform to add more resources for inmates, train deputies to better approach crisis situations, and increase transparency.
• Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt: Sheriff Witt is the first woman and person of color to lead the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office of Minnesota. Her experience includes leading Hennepin County through two of the most high-profile trials in modern history and serving on the State of Minnesota Legislative Task Force on Child Protection and the State of Minnesota Task Force on Law Enforcement Education Reform.

2023 Award Winners

• Former New York City Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell: Commissioner Sewell served as the 45th New York City Police Commissioner, the first woman and third black person to serve in the position. In this role, Sewell oversaw 35,000 uninformed officers and 18,000 civilians in the nation’s largest police department.
• Former Philadelphia Police Department Commissioner Danielle Outlaw: Commissioner Outlaw served as commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department, Chief of Police of the Portland Police Bureau (OR), and Deputy Chief of the Oakland Police Department (CA). Outlaw is recipient of the 2015 Gary Hayes Award – a national award given to those who have demonstrated leadership and innovation in the police position.