The Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Mayor, City of Charleston, The Honorable Wendell G. Gilliard, SC State House Representative for District 111, The Honorable James L. Lewis, City Councilman for District 3, and other members of Charleston City Council along with other Community Leaders present their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Picture Awards.

The 12th Annual presentation was held in the Auditorium at Burke High School located at 244 President Street in downtown Charleston because it symbolizes the emphasis Dr. King said we should place on educating our youth in our community, and it is also the site where the late Coretta Scott King came in October 2004 to honor her first cousin Mrs. Christine Osbourn Jackson. 

In Keeping the ideals and philosophies of Dr. King, Representative Wendell Gilliard annually presents the Picture Awards to members of the Charleston Community who strive to improve the quality of life for residents of our community. Individuals selected are recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating to all that they are keeping the dream of Dr. King alive. Some choosing to work in the background while others are up front, but all making a difference in the lives of our residents. Representative Gilliard states, “These are the unsung heroes and heroines in our community. We should pause, take note and be thankful for them. As stated in the Bible, ‘Those who are great among you shall be your servants.’ These recipients are truly great.”

The first awards were presented in 1998 after Representative Gilliard, was first elected to City Council. Recipients are selected the first part of January, for recognition before City Council during the week of the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations. Burke High School was selected as the host location because of its uniqueness. It is the only public high school located on the Charleston Peninsula wedged between the Citadel and the Medical University of South Carolina. Burke High School is a school where there are great students and great teachers, but seldom do we hear great stories about the school, though they are many.