City of Columbia accepting nominations for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Keeper Scholarship Awards
October 1, 2026
The City of Columbia is accepting nominations for the 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Keeper Scholarship Awards. The Dream Keeper Scholarship Awards program recognizes exemplary displays of committed service to the tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The ideals of social responsibility, political empowerment, diversity, racial harmony, nonviolence, and unselfish service must be demonstrated voluntarily by the nominee in support of his or her community and fellow citizens.
The nominee must be age 18 or younger and enrolled in a Richland School District One elementary, middle or high school with a minimum 2.5 grade point average. Applications are available online for download or at the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, 1111 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC 29201.
Winners of these awards will be recognized at the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
Date: January 18, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Community Center, 2300 Greene Street.
Applications must be submitted by the following methods:
- By mail to: City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department
- Attn: Douglas Elliott
- 1111 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC 29201
Applications must be postmarked by Friday, Dec. 4, 2026
- By email: Submit completed application as a PDF file to [email protected] by Friday, December 4, 2026
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD AMOUNTS HAVE INCREASED:
High School Awards (9-12) 500 words: 1st place- $1,500, 2nd place- $1,000, 3rd place- $750, Honorable Mention-$200
Middle School Awards (6-8) 250 words: 1st place- $500, 2nd place- $425, 3rd place- $350, Honorable Mention-$100
Elementary School Awards (k-5) 100 words: 1st place-$250, 2nd place- $225, 3rd place-$200, Honorable Mention-$100
