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The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Awards are designed to recognize and celebrate students, faculty, and staff who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Íøºì±¬ÁÏ, Baltimore’s (UMB) core values of Equity and Justice.

UMB’s mission affirms our dedication to fostering inclusive and just communities. We embrace diversity in all its forms and actively oppose discrimination. These awards honor individuals whose work reflects these principles — through projects, initiatives, and leadership that have a sustained impact on the UMB community and beyond.

By uplifting those who champion UMB’s core values of Equity and Justice, the Leadership Awards serve not only to celebrate success but also to inspire continued progress toward a more inclusive and equitable future.

Three award categories will be presented Feb. 5, 2026, at UMB’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Black History Month Celebration. Individuals or groups will be recognized in the following categories: 

  • Outstanding UMB faculty or unit 
  • Outstanding UMB staff or unit 
  • Outstanding UMB student or student group 

 

2026 Winners

The Íøºì±¬ÁÏ, Baltimore will honor the 2026 winners at the Feb. 5 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Black History Month celebration which will feature keynote speaker Chris T. Pernell, MD, MPH, director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity, fellow and regent-at-large at the American College of Preventive Medicine, clinical assistant professor for the Department of Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and the founder and CEO of The Esther Group.

The MLK Leadership Award winners serve as models of the ideals epitomized by the life and work of Dr. King.

Woan in black suit jacket

Outstanding UMB Faculty Award

Tonya J. Webb, PhD, in the Íøºì±¬ÁÏ  School of Medicine, will receive the Leadership Award for Outstanding Faculty member as part of the University’s Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 5, 2026.

Man in uniform

Outstanding UMB Staff Award

Det. Cpl. William Epperson, in Íøºì±¬ÁÏ Baltimore's Department of Police and Public Safety, will accept the Leadership Award for Outstanding Staff as part of University’s Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 5, 2026.

Four women standing

Outstanding UMB Student Award

The Strategic Engagement and Impact (SEI) Council, student members, in the Íøºì±¬ÁÏ School of Nursing will accept the Leadership Award for Outstanding Student Group as part of the University’s Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 5, 2026.

Thank you to the committee members who assisted with the selection process:

Reetta Gach, MS, MBA
Hershaw Davis Jr., DNP, MBA, RN
Nicole Palmore, MSW
Jillian Baker, PhD Student, School of Graduate Studies 

Previous Winners

  • Outstanding UMB Faculty Award

  • Outstanding UMB Staff Award


  • Outstanding UMB Student Award