The Mountaintop Legacy Award
Art by Mikal Floyd-Pruitt
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is thrilled to share with its community Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall’s celebrated stage play THE MOUNTAINTOP, an inspiring reimagining of the final night of the life of legendary Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 3rd, 1968, after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel, where a mysterious stranger forces him to confront his destiny and legacy. A classic of the modern theater that in humanizing Dr. King suggests that we all have within us the power to be the change we wish to see in the world, THE MOUNTAINTOP will be directed by acclaimed Milwaukee theater artist Dimonte Henning.
In keeping with its larger mission of bringing its community closer together while celebrating what makes Milwaukee great, and in partnership with CopyWrite Magazine, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, and Zao MKE Church, MCT will highlight Black excellence in Milwaukee during the run of THE MOUNTAINTOP through the Mountaintop Legacy Award. MCT will recognize at each MOUNTAINTOP performance one Milwaukee difference-maker who exemplifies the ideals of unity, equity, and locally led movements highlighted by Dr. King in his final speech, commonly referred to as “The Mountaintop Speech.”
Mountaintop Legacy Award recipients will be selected by a panel of MCT artists and community partners from nominations by the public of individuals who best exemplify Dr. King’s ideals across sectors including but not limited to political, nonprofit, business, educational, art, and tech.
The Mountaintop Legacy Award recipients reflect the following values in either their professional or personal pursuits:
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Leadership Excellence: Exhibit exceptional leadership qualities that inspire others, foster unity, and drive positive change.
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Impact on Community: Demonstrate commitment and significant contributions to improving the lives of those within their community.
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Collaboration and Inclusivity: Encourage collaboration, inclusivity, and diversity in initiatives, fostering unity and solidarity among various groups within Milwaukee.
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Resilience and Determination: Overcome challenges and obstacles while persistently striving for positive change.
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Dedication to Equity: Demonstrate commitment to promoting fairness, justice, and inclusivity across various domains.
Who was eligible to win the award: Any Black or African American individual making a positive difference in Greater Milwaukee is eligible to receive a Mountaintop Legacy Award. Honorees will be given two complimentary tickets to see THE MOUNTAINTOP and will be publicly honored prior to the start of the play, as well as be featured on our social media channels and website.
Nominations were submitted using an online form. Nominators were asked for contact information and to provide no more than 500 words on how an individual exemplifies these ideals.
MOUNTAINTOP LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Lexi S. Brunson, Owner & Editor in Chief of CopyWrite Magazine and Associate Professor at MIAD
Ladasia Bryant, Multifaceted graphic designer, fine artist, and curator and creator of Braided Magazine
Derrick Cainion, Founder of Art Intersection MKE
Morgan Chandler Bouldes, An interdisciplinary artist, writer and experience curator, Assistant Professor at MIAD
David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive
Lafayette Crump, Commissioner of the City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development
Michael Emem, Emem Group LLC
Ricky Ferrari Traner, MPA PHSW CTICP, Wisconsin Department of Children & Families
Anwar Floyd-Pruitt, Artist, Current Artist in Residence at Saint Kate, and Associate Curator of Contemporary Art, Museum of Wisconsin Art
Mikal Floyd-Pruitt, Multi-disciplinary Artist and co-owner of Homeworks: Bronzeville
Abra Fortson, SDC Executive Support & Governmental Affairs Manager for Social Development Commission
Cedric Gardner, Dancer, choreographer, and instructor at Boys & Girls Club
Jackie Herd-Barber & Michael Barber, Community volunteers and board members of various organizations
Ray Hill, Executive Director of the Historic King Drive BID No. 8
Cavalier Johnson, Mayor of the City of Milwaukee
Dannette Justus, Academic coach at Siefert Elementary School, Milwaukee Public Schools and creator of Dannette JustUs and Books YouTube Channel
Walter Lanier, President & CEO of African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee
Valdemetreia McCollum, Director of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
Nalani Moesch, Musician and Greenhouse Lead + Apprentice Mentor at Teens Grow Greens
Marjorie Rucker, Executive Director of the Business Council, Inc
Camille Sherwin, Strategic Partnerships Program Manager, American Family Insurance
Darius Smith, Co-founder & Creative Director of BlackSpace and Program Director of gener8tor
Tonda Thompson, Owner, Valor Creative Collective, She Slangs Wood Co, and National Coalition for Healthy Black Families, Inc.
Markasa Tucker-Harris, Executive Director, African American Roundtable
Sheri Williams Pannell, UWM Professor and Producing Artistic Director of Bronzeville Arts Ensemble
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
