2026 Rosa Parks and John Lewis Awards

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville & Buncombe County, through its Community Outreach Providing Empowerment (COPE) committee, is proud to present the 2026 John Lewis and Rosa Parks Awards Celebration. Held at the Stephens-Lee Community Center, Jonathan McCoy emceed the event while Dr. Oralene Graves-Simmons presented the awards.

The John Lewis and Rosa Parks Awards honor those who have made remarkable contributions to our community through:

Fostering a culture of inclusion in the Asheville community.
Working to achieve a just society for the disadvantaged.
Exemplifying a nonviolent philosophy in pursuit of a better life for non-majority people.
Inspiring direct action in the cause of social justice.

The 2026 John Lewis Award honorees are:

Mr. Mychal Bacoate is a native of Asheville who feels his purpose is to give back to his community. He is the President of the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and Chairman of the Asheville Housing Authority, where he works to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Mr. D. Tyrell McGirt is the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Asheville who champions the idea that parks must serve as inclusive “front yards” for all citizens, regardless of socioeconomic status. He is prioritizing a comprehensive 10-year systemwide plan to guide long-term investment in parks and community centers.

The 2025 Rosa Parks Award Honorees are:

Ms. Nicole Cush is a community leader committed to building a more just and inclusive community. She is the founder of The Glitter Sisters Inc., a mentorship and leadership initiative grounded in cooperation, courage, and collective care to strengthen belonging, civic engagement, and pathways to opportunity for youth and emerging leaders.

Ms. Priscilla Robinson is an Asheville native, born and raised in the Southside community. She is dedicated to empowering, educating, and advocating for community by collecting stories from the community elders, galvanizing community members around the topic of the impact of urban renewal, and collaborating with others.