The New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is offering mini-grants to support commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his work & legacy, on or around the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on January 19, 2026.
** APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9:00 AM on Monday, October 6, 2025 **
APPLICATION: The three-page application should address the following
NARRATIVE: (2 page maximum)
BUDGET: (1 page). NOTE: No direct gifts or gift cards can be purchased with this grant.
To receive funding, grantees must be either registered in NJStart or submit a completed NJ Non-procurement W9 as directed on the form. Please direct any questions about these processes to the contacts listed on the forms.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE:
Eligible agencies include public or private non-profit organizations (501C3 only), community and faith-based organizations; American or NJ Indian Tribal communities: local education agencies, charter schools and institutions of higher education; local, county or state government; labor organizations; and partnerships or consortia consisting of the aforementioned.
ABOUT APPLYING:
1. Register online at: https://forms.office.com/g/4eWgdpyu87 to apply.
2. Use the subject line: MLK26 Commemorative and email Narrative (1 – 2pgs) and Budget (use form on website) to MLKCommission@sos.nj.gov.
3. Application deadline Monday, October 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
4. MLK Commission will review only applications submitted by registered entities. (see #1).
ABOUT THE AWARD:
1. Awards will be announced early November 2025.
2. Funds will be made available by December 31. Pending grantee compliance with terms.
3. All events must be completed by February 17, 2026.
4. Funds must be spent by March 17, 2026.
5. A final report (minimum 1 page), expenditure report and photographs are due to the MLK Commission by March 31, 2026 by 5PM
All events will be listed on the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission website.
The MLK Commission will provide commemorative items for the events
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING BUDGET FORM, VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
Questions? Please email the Commission at MLKCommission@sos.nj.gov
Downloads:
In the spring, the Commission’s annual scholarship contest attracted more than 400 entries from New Jersey high school students. Essays were submitted reflecting the significance of Rosa Parks’ refusal to move to the back of the bus which ignited the 381-day Montgomery AL bus boycott that brought about the desegregation of the state of Alabama’s bus service.
Scholarship recipients were chosen by an independent panel of readers based on their essays, school transcripts, participation in community service, and letters of recommendation. Scholarships in the amount of $5000 were awarded to ten outstanding high school seniors to continue their education at institutions.
MLK25 Scholar: 1
Cheryl Djan
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Technology High School
MLK25 Scholar: 2
Nathaniel Esubonteng
Stanford University
Science Park High School
MLK25 Scholar: 3
Aydan Howell
Widener University
Middle Township High School
MLK25 Scholar: 4
Braylie LaFisca
Chestnut Hill College
Allentown High School
MLK25 Scholar: 5
Emily Laing
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Neptune High School
MLK25 Scholar: 6
Lisandro Moron
Saint Peter's University
José Martí Steam Academy
MLK25 Scholar: 7
Nysalee Rosa
Kean University
Newark School of Global Studies
MLK25 Scholar: 8
Jeremy Shore
University of Southern California
Cherry Hill High School East
MLK25 Scholar: 9
Marco Vilet
Carnegie Mellon University
Technology High School
MLK25 Scholar: 10
Alexia Zambito
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Holmdel High School
On Monday, January 20, 2025, Commission Chair George Guy, Jr. raised public awareness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ideals and philosophy as he represented the Commission during the Community segment of PHL 17 in Philadelphia. Below is the brief video interview.
For more information on activities happening statewide to honor Dr. King, For details, download the 2025 MLK Day Commemorative Events and Celebrations list.
After reviewing submissions from almost 200 New Jersey high school seniors, the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission is pleased to introduce the 10 winners of the 2025 NJ MLK Jr Scholarship Essay Contest.
‘Looking Back at Dr. King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech
MLK24 Scholar: 1
Rchin Bari
Brown University
Essex County Newark Tech
MLK24 Scholar: 2
Brooke Bokser
Cornell University
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest
MLK24 Scholar: 3
Alondra Calva
Villanova University
John E Dwyer Technology Academy
MLK24 Scholar: 4
Taylor Douglas
American University
Freehold Township High School
MLK24 Scholar: 5
Ella Ehrlich
Cornell University
Bergen County Academies
MLK24 Scholar: 6
Bernard Liang
Duke University
Manalapan High School
MLK24 Scholar: 7
Reese Passuth
University of Hartford
Union County Vocational Technical High School
MLK24 Scholar: 8
Savannah Rodriguez
Hampton University
Rahway High School
MLK24 Scholar: 9
Makenna Thomas
Alvernia University
Vernon Township High School
MLK24 Scholar: 10
Rochelle Vil
TBD
William L. Dickinson High School
“The 2024 essay contest winners shared insightful comments about the significance of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. King as reflected in his remarkable speech,” said New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the MLK Jr. Commission in her capacity as Secretary of State. “I applaud these young people for their commitment to community service and furthering the legacy of Dr. King through both their words and their actions.”
A virtual awards ceremony was held in the evening of May 29 to announce the 2024 MLK Scholars who come from across the state. Hosted by NJ MLK JR Commission Chairman George Guy and members of the Commission, the ten scholars were in attendance to accept their awards.
“On behalf of the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, we extend our congratulations to our ten MLK Scholars who will be moving onto post-secondary education in the fall,” said Commission Chairman George Guy. “Their essays about Dr. King’s famous Nobel Prize speech and how his work continues to inspire both their academic work and community service, gives us all abundant hope for the future.”
The 2024 MLK Scholars will be awarded $5,000 scholarship for the university or college of their choice in the fall of 2024.
After reviewing submissions for almost 200 New Jersey high school seniors, the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission announces the 10 winners of ‘Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere’ 2023 Scholarship Essay Contest:
MLK23 Scholar: 1
SEKNA BAZZI
Barnard College of Columbia University
Science Park High School
MLK23 Scholar: 2
ALBERT CAESAR
Princeton University
Ridge High School
MLK23 Scholar: 3
SPENCER JAHNG
TBA
The Pingry School
MLK23 Scholar: 4
MIRIKA JAMBUDI
Harvard University
The Pingry School
MLK23 Scholar: 5
MATTHEW LEE
Columbia University
East Brunswick High School
MLK23 Scholar: 6
JADA SAMPSON
TBA
Academy for Performing Arts
MLK23 Scholar: 7
KASAI SANCHEZ
William Paterson University
Teaneck High School
MLK23 Scholar: 8
AMANDA THOMAS
TBA
Union County Magnet High School
MLK23 Scholar: 9
DEVIN TORRES
University of Southern California
Lenape High School
MLK23 Scholar: 10
JEFFREY XU
Princeton University
Livingston High School
“Our 2023 essay contest winners demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of how Dr. King’s fight against injustice was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent resistance movement that successfully ended almost a century of British colonial rule in India. I am thrilled to congratulate these young leaders and extend our wishes for their future success,” said NJ Secretary of State Tahesha Way.
“On behalf of the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, we extend our congratulations to our ten MLK Scholars who will be entering college in the fall,” Commission Chairman George Guy said. “Their essays about Dr. King’s legacy and his inspiration for their academic work and community service, has given all of us great hope for the future.”
The 2023 MLK Scholars will be awarded $5,000 scholarship for the university or college of their choice.
We, the Commissioners of the New Jersey Martin Luther King Commemorative Commission, denounce the senseless murders of George Floyd; Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless other African Americans who for too long have been the victims of institutionalized racial injustice in this country. In his book Why We Can’t Wait, Dr. King wrote “Three hundred years of humiliation, abuse and deprivation cannot be expected to find voice in a whisper.” We decry the effects of systemic racial discrimination, not with a whisper, but with a thunderous outcry that we will match with renewed vigilance and purposeful and powerful actions.
Each year, the Commission, the first such State Commission in the Nation, recalls historical events in the life of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement, while focusing on issues of current import. We have commemorated the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Jackie Robinson breaking the color line in baseball, and “Women Who Led” in the struggle for civil rights. This year, we have chosen the theme: “Youth, We Hear You,” recognizing the emerging voices of a new generation. We will host a Youth Town Hall in the Fall, and our annual Commemorative on January 17, 2021, which will be followed by a statewide virtual Youth Conference and Day of Service on January 18, 2021.
In the face of the recent historically deplorable events, and the extraordinary moment that they offer, the Commission plans to develop an agenda focused on key issues that provide both challenges and opportunities for progress. We believe that New Jersey can be a role model to finally recognize the fullest manifestation of democracy in this country. This vision calls for policies that guarantee equal protection under the law; that promise that race and poverty will no longer be death sentences; and an end to mass incarceration. We call for eliminating deadly force police protocols, de-militarized policing, developing a comprehensive plan to end school desegregation, and exploring ideas that are being studied related to reparative justice. We also call for appropriate funding for counseling services for students to address bullying and racial discrimination. We will make our agenda known throughout the state and will invite groups and individuals, of all ages and backgrounds, to join us in achieving these objectives. We will also highlight the ongoing work of organizations throughout New Jersey and provide a platform for them to share our mutual commitment and goals.
As we recognize Dr. King’s call to action in the “fierce urgency of now,” we call upon everyone to become involved, to join us in partnership, and to go from strength to strength together. Please join us!
It has been 400 years since the first arrival in English-occupied North America of enslaved people from Africa. To mark this anniversary, the Commission is highlighting resources related to the history of slavery in New Jersey.
New Jerseyans Reflect on the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in commemoration of his 90th Birthday