Drum Major Award

In Rev. Dr. King’s February 1968 sermon, “The Drum Major,” he imagines his own funeral urging the congregation not to dwell on his life’s achievements, including his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize. Instead, King asked to be remembered as one who “tried to give his life serving others” (King, “The Drum Major,” 185). King implored his congregation to remember his attempts to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort prisoners. King intoned, “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice, Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter”

Each year, the MLK Memorial Breakfast Committee bestows the Drum Major Award to individuals and community organizations that exemplify the drum major instinct of service and care for the community.

2023 Drum Major Award winners:

• League of Women in Community Service
• Greater Boston Association of Black Social Workers
• Boston While Black