Rotarian Ijeoma Pearl Okoro has been named a recipient of the 2026 Martin Luther King Legacy Award for Global Leadership and Humanitarian Impact
Rotarian Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Martin Luther King Legacy Award for Global Leadership and Humanitarian Impact, in recognition of her exceptional service and contributions to global development.
The honour was announced by organisers of the International Salute to the Life and Legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. ahead of its 34th annual celebration held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Washington, DC.
According to the organisers, the annual event celebrates individuals whose work embodies Dr King’s values of justice, service, leadership, and bridge-building across cultures and nations.
Okoro was selected alongside a distinguished group of global leaders from government, diplomacy, advocacy, philanthropy, and education.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the MLK Jr International Salute, Madeline Y. Lawson, said the 2026 honourees reflect the moral leadership and commitment to service that Dr King championed throughout his life.
The award ceremony took place at The Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC, as part of activities marking Dr King’s birthday.
Other recipients of the 2026 Martin Luther King Legacy Awards include United States Congressman Jamie Raskin, honoured for Government and Public Service; Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Dr Petra Schneebauer, who received the Global Diplomacy Award; and Ms Ricki Fairley, Chief Executive Officer of The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, who was recognised with the Dr Dorothy I. Height Leadership Award.
Additional honourees include Mrs Nell Chennault Calloway for Advocacy and Community Service, Bishop Brett Fuller for Global Unity, Philip Qiu for Global Philanthropy and Service, and Dr Jason Wingard for Academic and Executive Leadership.
Okoro joins an illustrious list of past recipients, including former United States Secretary of State General Colin Powell, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, civil rights icon and US Congressman John Lewis, and former US Senator Bob Dole.
The leadership of Rotary International Zone 22, which covers all Rotary districts across Africa, congratulated Okoro, describing the award as a testament to her enduring commitment to humanitarian service and global leadership.
Ijeoma Pearl Okoro currently serves as a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation for the 2024–2028 term and is a member of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Rotary International is a global network of over 1.4 million members dedicated to humanitarian service, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
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