Prester Pickett, coordinator of the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center at Cleveland State University, has been named a recipient of the Cleveland Orchestra’s 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award.  

The award recognizes individuals and organizations whose work positively impacts music and the arts in the community while reflecting the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pickett, a professor, performer, playwright, producer and director, will celebrate 30 years as coordinator of the HAMAACC in June and has worked alongside scholars and artists to inspire CSU students and the greater Cleveland community. His work includes partnerships with community organizations and national civil rights groups, the creation of plays and cultural programming and the establishment of a campus-wide Dr. King celebration that is free and open to the public.

“This honor means a lot to me because members of the Greater Cleveland community, inclusive of my peers, mentors, and generations of creatives and cultural ambassadors that follow my generation, have been attentive to the work that I’ve been doing for more than 30 years to contribute to the recognition of these grounds as an edutainment mecca,” Pickett said. “This award means that my efforts align with the dream and vision pronounced by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and it is a blessing to know that others have seen the value in my labors that connect to the past and through theatrical ventures and cultural presentations produced here at Cleveland State University, across the city, state, and nation, as well as abroad.”

Pickett said he has always been motivated by the thought that his artistic efforts could help somebody while, at the same time, providing the service of uplifting the academic interests and missions of the institutions of higher learning he has served. 

Through that work, he has tried to encourage the community outside the walls of the academy by showing that progress can be made in addressing a variety of social and health care issues when those considered “the least of these” are empowered.

“I am most fortunate to have acquired certification through my role at CSU to go into various correctional institutions across the state of Ohio and teach that there is a better way of living beyond the alternative lifestyles that lead to incarceration,” he said. “Likewise, I have shared a progressive vision during my speaking engagements and presentations for high schools, faith-based institutions, campus and national organizations, in addition to colleges and universities across the nation and abroad. Hence, my work and history as an educator have confirmed that my living has not been in vain.”

Pickett also made it a point to thank his parents, mentors, and the pastors who have provided direction throughout his life, noting that he is eternally grateful to his wife, whom he met at the African American Cultural Center.

“Our union connected our lives together as well as our talents, and together we developed a tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson, A Word, A Song, that has toured across the nation and to five cities in Italy. My lovely wife, Bertha, of now 33 years, also has shared her talents through my piece, The Duke on the Queen’s Court, that highlighted how Mahalia Jackson contributed to Duke Ellington’s piece, Come Sunday, and shouted out to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ‘Tell them about your dream, Martin,’ as he was speaking at the March on Washington in 1963,” he said. 

“She always encourages me to tell the world about my dream as well. While people know me as the speaker who sounds like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Bertha is known as the voice of Mahalia.”

He added:

“When Dr. Howard A. Mims hired me to join the staff at Cleveland State University nearly 30 years ago, in June 2026, he provided a platform that allowed me to collaborate with a wide range of scholars and artists. Their work inspired me to pursue similar contributions to the lives of students and the greater Cleveland community.”