A Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, Rotarian Ijeoma Pearl Okoro has been named the recipient of the 2026 Martin Luther King Legacy Award for Global Leadership and Humanitarian Impact, in recognition of her outstanding service, leadership, and contribution to global development.
The award was announced by the organisers of the International Salute to the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ahead of its 34th annual celebration which held last Sunday in Washington, DC, United States.
According to the organisers, the annual event honours individuals whose work reflects King’s values and vision through leadership, justice, service, and bridge-building across cultures and nations. Okoro was selected among a distinguished group of global leaders spanning government, diplomacy, advocacy, philanthropy, and education.
Founder/CEO of the MLK Jr International Salute, Madeline Y. Lawson said that the 2026 honourees exemplify the kind of impact King challenged the society to pursue through service and moral leadership.
Other recipients of the 2026 Martin Luther King Legacy Awards include United States Congressman Jamie Raskin, who received the King Legacy Award for Government and Public Service; Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Petra Schneebauer, who won the award for Global Diplomacy; and Chief Executive Officer of The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, Ms Ricki Fairley, who received the Dr. Dorothy I. Height Leadership Award.
Also honoured were 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.
The Founder/CEO of MLK Jr. International Salute, Madeline Y. Lawson said: ‘This year’s honourees lead across government, humanitarian service, advocacy, education, and global diplomacy, and they model the impact Dr. King called all of us to pursue’.
According to a statement by the Rotary International Zone 22 (Africa), the MLK Jr. International Salute Committee said that it recognised exceptional individuals whose work strengthens communities, advances justice, and builds bridges across cultures and nations.
The event was held at The Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., United States of America, and is hosted annually as part of the commemorative celebrations honouring King’s birthday.
The 2026 honourees joined a distinguished group of previous recipients, including a former U.S. Secretary of State, General Colin Powell; a former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan; U.S. Congressman, John Lewis; U.S. Representative, Hon. John Conyers, Jr.; U.S. Senator Bob Dole; and ambassadors representing nations from around the world.
Rotary International Director, Daniel Tanase and the leadership of Rotary Zone 22 (Africa) congratulated Okoro on her award.
