Community trailblazers Mattie Freeman, Orpah L. Jackson and Robert Lawrence received the 2020 Atlantic Beach Martin Luther King Community Service Awards Jan. 20. The awards were presented at the community’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Atlantic Beach Assembly of God.
Freeman is the founding principal of Refreshing Women PUSH Ministry, which provides assistance to homeless people and others; Jackson is a retired schoolteacher who has held servant leadership positions with Christ Women United, Donner Community Development Corp., and Rhoda L. Martin Cultural Heritage Center; and Lawrence is a longtime community volunteer whose labors of love have benefitted Habitat for Humanity program residents, senior citizens and others.
Birds of Fire Music spearheaded the annual event, which is held to remember King’s legacy and pay tribute to local community members whose servant leadership embody the ideals and spirit of the late civil rights torchbearer.
June 15, 2026
