Local Legends
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast committee is pleased to recognize outstanding
community leaders who represent Dr. King’s vision and legacy: a testament that a
dream is a growing reality.
Interested in nominating someone to receive a Local Legend award? Click
here to learn more.
Emerging Legends
The Emerging Legend is an award inaugurated to honor youth that are serving with
distinction in our community. It is designed to honor a youth (21 and under) for
his or her volunteer efforts in the Twin Cities. This Emerging Legend is on his
or her way to becoming a Local Legend of tomorrow. View the Emerging Legend nomination
form here for more information.
We extend an invitation to you to nominate a deserving youth.
2011 Local Legend Recipients
There have been many exceptional community leaders who have been honored with Local
Legend awards over the past ten years.
Click here for a
list of award recipients.
Local Legend - Father Kevin McDonough
Local Legend Father Kevin McDonough fights for the needs, concerns, and gifts of
African American Catholics in the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. He
has been the pastor at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, a congregation in the Rondo
neighborhood that largely serves African Americans, including many African immigrants,
for nearly 20 years. Recently, he also assumed the leadership of and responsibility
for the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus church in Minneapolis. Father Kevin leads by example
and is an active member of his community who shows his care and commitment through
participation and service.
Local Legend - Andy Wells
Andy Wells was honored as a Local Legend for his leadership and commitment to making
a difference in his community. Andy Wells, an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band
of Ojibwe, is the president and owner of Wells Technology in Bemidji, Minn. Six
years ago -- mindful of high unemployment and school drop-out rates -- Andy launched
Wells Academy. Through instruction on modern equipment, Wells Academy students earn
income while learning high-tech skills. Training at Wells Academy also includes
sessions led by local elders who reinforce cultural values and promote social responsibility.
The program has a 93 percent success rate.
Emerging Legend – Brandon Hill
Brandon Hill, a senior at Eden Prairie High School, is challenging his generation
to take education seriously. He set out on a mission to encourage other minority
students to reach their full potential and co-founded "The Brotherhood" organization,
a program that mentors young men of color to be their best in academics, sports,
life, and to give back to their community. After one semester under Brandon’s leadership,
the sixty-member group increased their cumulative grade point averages by more than
one full grade point. A straight-A student, merit scholar and Excel award winner,
Brandon is committed to personal excellence and to helping others reach their goals.
As Governor of Boys State Minnesota and senator of a leadership program in Washington,
D.C., Brandon has established himself as a leader among his peers.
