Honoring those who embody Dr. King’s legacy of equality and justice

The original Pathfinder Award was created in 1986 to recognize Mankato area individuals or organizations that, in the spirit of Dr. King, are initiators or action-takers in the struggle for equal treatment, human rights, and non-violence.

The Greater Mankato Diversity Council originally held the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pathfinder Awards event near Dr. King's birthdate. In 2023, the event was moved to the anniversary of Dr. King's visit and three public addresses in Mankato, MN on November 12, 1961.

  • Pathfinder Award

    Created in 1986, the Pathfinder Award recognizes individuals or organizations that, in the spirit of Dr. King, are initiators or action takers in the struggle for equal treatment, human rights and non-violence. The award represents the ideal that all people should be treated fairly and equally without the fear of discrimination on any basis.

  • Young Pathfinder Award

    Added in 2002, this award recognizes the commitment and courage displayed by area young people (age 18 or younger) to achieve fair and equal treatment for all, healthy communities, and peaceful resolution to conflicts.

  • Business Pathfinder Award

    First presented in 2003, this award recognizes area businesses that strive for equal treatment, human rights, and non-violence in the workplace.

Previous Award Recipients

    • 2023 Jameel Haque

    • 2022 no award this year

    • 2021 no award this year

    • 2020  Jennifer and Richmond Clark, Northside Hair Company

    • 2019 Dan and Kirstin Cronn-Mills, founders of the Ally Network, a Facebook group that supports marginalized communities and works to encourage activism.

    • 2018  Diana Joseph

    • 2017  The REACH Youth Drop-In Center

    • 2016  Bud Lawrence

    • 2015  David Burgess

    • 2014  Bev Mountain

    • 2013  Scott Fee

    • 2012  Wilbur Neuschwander-Frink

    • 2011  Adam Osman

    • 2010  Aish Ali

    • 2010  Lisa Spieker, Rasmussen College Mankato Diversity Committee, and Sally Kvebak, English and US Culter teacher to newcomer immigrant students at East HS

    • 2009  KMSU

    • 2008  Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry

    • 2007  Steve Oachs

    • 2006  Ed Waltrman

    • 2005  YWCA

    • 2004  Mary Lou Kadela

    • 2003  Linda Javens

    • 2002  Nithy Javahar Sevanthinathan 

    • 2001  Multicultural Resource Center 

    • 2000  Marian Anderson

    • 1999  Eunice Simonson 

    • 1998  Lorraine Hansen

    • 1997  Robert Barrett

    • 1996  Kate Marten and East Side Jr. Civitan

    • 1995  Gladys Neiman and Clair Faust, Minnesota Valley Regional Library

    • 1994  Erma Beinke

    • 1993  Althia deGraft-Johnson and Hand-Maid Sweets (Charles Catale)

    • 1992  Charlie Beck, Jim Buckley, and Mary Dowd

    • 1991  David Sullivan and Blue Earth County Human Services

    • 1990  Larry Gaffin and Bud Lawrence

    • 1989  John Considine and SSND (School Sisters of Notre Dame)

    • 1988  Michael Fagin, Mary Lofy, and Welcome Inn

    • 2023 no award this year

    • 2022 no award this year

    • 2021 no award this year

    • ​2020  Bobbi Hampton and Nijae Carter, Mankato West High School

    • 2019  Kyle Kehoe

    • 2018  Lauren Senden

    • 2017  no award this year

    • 2016  Elora Greiner

    • 2015  Kos Adam

    • 2014  Mankato East Student Council, Executive Board

    • 2013  Loyola Catholic School, Fair Trade School

    • 2012  Zeynab Omar

    • 2011  Dr. Avra Johnson

    • 2010  Mankato East High School senior

    • 2009  Megan Malony

    • 2008  Akram Mohamed

    • 2007  no award this year

    • 2006  Nick Burkhart

    • 2005  East High School Diversity Club and Melissa Melendez

    • 2004  Mankato West SHINE

    • 2003  Tina Gee

    • 2002  Road to Understanding

    • 2023 no award this year

    • 2022 no award this year

    • 2021 no award this year

    • ​2020 Destiny Owens, Founder, Black Excellence Around Mankato (BEAM) and Dr. Timothy Berry, Composer, "OVERCOMING"

    • 2019 Dan and Angie Bastian, founders and former owners of BoomChickaPop, and

    • 2018 Cambria

    • 2017  no award this year

    • 2016  MRCI Workforce Center

    • 2015  Imperial Plastics

    • 2014  Sodexo

    • 2013  Hy-Vee

    • 2012  Lloyd Management, Inc.

    • 2011  The Free Press

    • 2010  The Coffee Hag

    • 2008  Eide Bailly, Hahn Huy Phan

    • 2009  Coughlan Companies

    • 2007  Mankato Clinic

    • 2006  Greater Mankato Diversity Council

    • 2005  Immanuel-St. Joseph’s Mayo Health Systems

    • 2004  Charley Sadaka

    • 2003  Mankato Ford

Nominate a Pathfinder

Do you know someone who exemplifies the values of social justice, equality, and community leadership? Nominate an individual or organization for the MLK Pathfinder Awards and help us celebrate those who are making a difference. Submit your nomination today!