2025 Social Justice Youth Award Winners

Published on January 29, 2025

On January 27, 2025, the City Commission recognized eight extraordinary students for their achievements and leadership toward racial and social justice. The Social Justice Youth Awards are given annually as part of Kalamazoo’s celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These young leaders exemplify Dr. King’s values through their community service and volunteerism.

The awards are presented by each of the program’s sponsors: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Consumers Energy, Fifth Third Bank, Kalamazoo Non-Violent Opponents of War, Life EMS, Lodge-Dennis, and Schupan & Sons. Additionally, one award is sponsored by the CSM Group and presented by Dr. Lewis Walker, a trailblazer for the progression of racial equity in Kalamazoo.

A recording of the awards presentation is available on the City of Kalamazoo’s YouTube Channel.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients! Read about their accomplishments below (listed in order of presentation):

Layla Hemphill

Award presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Iota Sigma Omega

Layla exemplifies the spirit of social justice through her unwavering dedication to improving the rights and quality of life for others. Whether in her academic pursuits, community service, or peer interactions, she consistently challenges those around her to strive for excellence. What sets Layla apart is her ability to see people as individuals deserving of kindness and compassion. From volunteering with individuals with physical and mental disabilities to organizing drives to support the homeless and raising funds for Alzheimer’s research, Layla embodies the true meaning of selflessness. She approaches conversations with openness and respect, a quality that stood out during recent discussions among her peers on critical topics like women’s reproductive health and K-12 education reform. Layla is actively involved in several organizations within the Kalamazoo community. She serves on the leadership team for Confident Sole, is a dedicated member of the Ivylettes—the teen affiliate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®—and a Peer Coach for Bent Not Broken. Additionally, she has participated in numerous programs and initiatives focused on diversity awareness, equity, and cultural understanding.

Ava Tate

Award presented by Consumers Energy 

Ava is a well-deserving and exceptional young leader in our community. Excelling in political advocacy, academics, social justice, and athletics. Ava has been described as a “DOER in every sense of the word and having a deep caring for the basic worth and value of all people.” She has turned these principles into a passion for community and country in the realm of politics as a valued member of various campaign teams in the area from local and state to presidential races. She is an active member of Youth in Government, Model UN, MI High School Democrats, and MI High School Democrats Black Caucus. Her greatest highlight from her political involvement last year as part of the ONE Campaign was meeting first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Harris! She is an active member of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the Portage Central HS JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion), Varsity Basketball, yearbook staff, and school news staff. She also regularly finds time to help kids in her mother’s special education classroom.

Omar Elghawy

Award presented by Fifth Third Bank

Omar was nominated by Maliha Raza Khan, who serves alongside Omar on the leadership team for Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War (KNOW) and we received 5 additional letters of recommendation for Omar. Each reflected in different ways on his maturity, leadership, passion, and action for his causes. As a leader of KNOW, Omar has organized and led several high-profile events, such as the Remembering the Children March, the Portage Northern High School Walkout, and Freedom Ride. As a member of the highly marginalized BIPOC community, identifying as Muslim, and a proud 2nd generation immigrant Arab American, Omar has not let these challenges deter him. Instead, he has used his unique perspective to lead and inspire others. He has brought attention to global issues that resonate locally, uniting individuals across the community and fostering awareness and compassion for those impacted by injustice.

Winter Owens

Award presented by Kalamazoo Non-Violent Opponents of War (KNOW)

In the community, Winter has served over 400 hours volunteering with Jeter’s Leaders. In this role, she has been an active mentor at the Boys and Girls Club for the past 3 years and she has helped prepare provoking and engaging lesson plans. She has joined social change trips and volunteered in the Washington DC, New Orleans, and Atlanta areas. Winter has been on the honor roll during her high school years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Dance Team, and the Link crew. In addition, she has been on the basketball and track and field teams. Winter has been an active participant in community programs, including Girls on the Run and the Out of the Darkness Suicide Walk. Winter has held a number of leadership roles. She was nominated by her peers to serve as Senior Representative on the Executive Council for Jeter’s Leaders. She is currently working with several peers to present a workshop on racism in America and how it impacts youth, which will be presented to peers from across the country.

Michael T. Scott

Award presented by Life EMS

Michael T. Scott the 2nd is a compassionate young leader, having been grounded in the core beliefs of faith, family, and service. He has an outstanding focus on embracing and improving the Kalamazoo community through his involvement in academic teams, volunteering, and peer tutoring. A naturally high achiever, Michael has been able to let his light shine through his leadership having spent many years actively involved in the community through organizations such as the Kalamazoo Deacon’s Conference, Southwest Food Bank, and Dorothy Hobbs Food Pantry Ministry. As a dedicated member of the Galilee Baptist Church, Michael serves in several capacities. Chief among these is his work with the congregation’s media ministry which reflects his passion for digital arts and his desire to combine technical skills with his commitment to the faith community. Michael is also an active participant in the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) Youth ministry. Through this national platform, he has developed a deeper understanding of social justice, service, and the teachings of Jesus. His experiences with PNBC have taken him across the country where he has participated in service projects that support the marginalized and disenfranchised. These incredible opportunities have not only shaped his worldview but have inspired him to bring the concepts of justice and equality back to his local community. Beyond his church and community work, Michael is a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of Michigan or DECA.

Isabella Morris

Award presented by Lodge-Dennis

Isabella is a definite leader at Loy Norrix High School and in our community. Isabella cares deeply about supporting other students. She is part of Powered by Youth, a Kalamazoo Youth Development Network (KYD Network) program in which youth learned about and revised the Youth Program Quality Volunteerism and Community Service 1 of 2 Assessment (YPQA) to improve programs outside of school. Isabella demonstrates leadership in several ways. She is in Girl Scouts and Co-President of the KAMSC Ambassadors where she facilitates a group of eleventh and twelfth graders who help ninth graders to feel welcome and included at KAMSC regardless of what school or background they are from. She’s on the Kalamazoo County Youth Cabinet (the youth advisory for Kalamazoo Youth Development Network), the Treasurer on the Loy Norrix Executive Board, KAMSC Sizzling Summer science camp assistant teacher, and National Honor Society volunteer. She also is on the Girls Investigating Science and Math Opportunities (GISMO) for middle schoolers, makes blankets for the Gospel Mission, and helps with the school food drive.

Dontray Hemphill Jr.

Award presented by Schupan & Sons

I am pleased to introduce Dontray (DJ) Hemphill Jr. to everyone. Dontray is an active ambassador in our community as a youth leader in Bent Not Broken, an organization that advocates for young people involved in the criminal justice system. DJ leads by example and his own journey has given him a better understanding of the challenges our young people face. He embraces diversity by creating spaces where all young people, regardless of their background, can feel welcomed, understood, and empowered. DJ is also a Fellow at the Justice Fellows program at the Lewis Walker Institute. He has courageously told his personal story and is an advocate for juvenile justice reform. DJ has also participated in a visit to Café Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant model providing justice-involved youth with holistic support and career opportunities.

Paul Evans

Award presented by Dr. Lewis Walker, sponsored by CSM Group 

Over the last three years, Paul Evans has demonstrated a strong commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in various organizations and in the larger community. A review of his impressive record suggests that Paul started on the social justice path when he was in the tenth grade. For more than three years, Paul has put his talents and organizational skills on display as a strong worker for social justice. He attends Loy Norrix where he is very busy serving as the current chair of the Student Senate Advancement Committee; President of Loy Norrix Black Student Union; and President of Loy Norrix Class of 2026. Paul has made significant contributions to his community through his active participation in multiple organizations and youth councils. His dedication to creating positive change is evident in his involvement in groups that aim to address social inequalities. This young man has participated in and led numerous social justice projects and he has fought for positive changes at the local and state levels. Paul works to ensure all people, regardless of color, gender, or religion are treated equally and without prejudice. He is known to be a vocal leader for equity at Loy Norrix High School. He is also an advocate for students of color and underrepresented groups of students as part of State Rep. Julie Rogers Youth Advisory Council. Paul also serves on the Michigan Department of Education Student Advisory Council - specifically the historical justice committee. He is currently involved in activities in over 15 different organizations in the larger community and Loy Norrix High School.