Larry Gossett Service Award

Larry Gossett is a civil rights activist who served on the King County Council for 24 years between 1994-2020. His legacy includes founding the Black Student Union at the University of Washington and changing the King County logo to an image of Dr. Martin Luther King. In honor of his legacy, the Larry Gossett Service Award is an annual award presented to a community member or organization who has made significant contributions in the areas of racial equity, social justice, and/or human rights.

The Larry Gossett Service Award recognizes and affirms an individual or organization who has made significant contributions in the areas of racial equity, social justice, and/or human rights.

The awardee is selected by the King County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee.

The Metropolitan King County Council Chair and/or the King County Executive presents the award at the annual King County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. 

Criteria

Nominees must have been both:

• Personally or part of a community-based organization involved in making tangible, visible, and meaningful contributions to the advancement of equity, racial equity and social justice, and/or human rights
• King County resident or have worked in King County for at least 1 year and instrumental in a business, labor union, or advocacy group as described above for at least 1 year.

Nomination process

Anyone can make a nomination through the nomination form. 2026 Nominations are due by December 1, 2025.

The King County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee review all nominations and recommends finalists for consideration.

If a member of the Planning Committee is nominated, they must excuse themselves from discussions and voting during the selection process. Any immediate family members of nominees must also excuse themselves from the decision-making process.

The Planning Committee will notify the winner in December.

Larry Gossett Award Nomination Form