Larry Gossett Service Award

The Larry Gossett Service Award recognizes and affirms an individual or organization who has made significant contributions in the areas of racial equity, social justice, and/or human rights.

The awardee is selected by the King County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee and the King County African American Affinity Group.

The Metropolitan King County Council Chair and/or the King County Executive presents the award at the annual King County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. 

Criteria

Nominees must have been both:

• Personally or part of a community-based organization involved in making tangible, visible, and meaningful contributions to the advancement of equity, racial equity and social justice, and/or human rights
• King County resident or have worked in King County for at least 1 year and instrumental in a business, labor union, or advocacy group as described above for at least 1 year.

Nomination process

Anyone can make a nomination through the nomination form. 2025 Nominations are due by December 17, 2024.

The King County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee and the King County African American Affinity Group review all nominations and recommends finalists for consideration.

If a member of the Planning Committee or Affinity Group is nominated, they must excuse themselves from discussions and voting during the selection process. Any immediate family members of nominees must also excuse themselves from the decision-making process.

The Planning Committee will notify the winner in December.

Larry Gossett Award Nomination Form