12 Hopkins affiliates recognized for community service at MLK commemoration

Twelve Johns Hopkins affiliates will be honored at the 44th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration; eleven received the 2025 Community Service Award and Alvin "Joe" D'Angelo will receive the 2026 Levi Watkins Jr. Ideals Award.

Johns Hopkins will honor 12 affiliates for community service at its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. Eleven faculty, staff, and students were chosen for the 2025 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Community Service. Alvin "Joe" D'Angelo was named the 2026 Levi Watkins Jr. Ideals Award recipient. The event recognizes volunteer work and mentorship across the university and health system. Award recipients: - Twelve affiliates were named: eleven received the 2025 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Community Service and Alvin "Joe" D'Angelo received the 2026 Levi Watkins Jr. Ideals Award. - Honorees include clinical staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty who run programs addressing food insecurity, refugee and asylum health, grief and wellness support, a student-run clinic in Lebanon, STEM education in carceral settings, pet rescue and adoption, and career development for youth. - Specific programs mentioned include a church backpack grocery program, the HEAL Refugee Health and Asylum Collaborative, Maryland Lighthouse Reflections Grief and Wellness Care, Homeless to Home Husky Rescue, STEM Unbarred at a carceral facility, and the Peace Education Program. - The commemoration will feature keynote remarks by Nicole Cooper and Melvin Wilson and will be held on Jan. 16 with both in-person and virtual attendance options. Summary: The awards highlight a range of volunteer activities at Johns Hopkins that support underserved communities and foster mentorship within healthcare and education. The honorees will be recognized during the 44th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration on Jan. 16, where keynote speakers and institutional leaders will participate.