Serenbe wins the 2025 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award for its commitment to sustainability, equity, and environmental stewardship, reflecting Dr. King’s vision.
Friends and Neighbors,
When I received the call from Dr. Bernice King’s office announcing that Serenbe would be awarded the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award, I was humbled, honored, and curious. Who nominated Serenbe? What was the process?
The Martin Luther King Jr. Environmental Justice Award honors individuals, organizations, or communities that make significant contributions to environmental justice in alignment with Dr. King’s vision. It embodies principles of equity, social justice, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing the interconnectedness of civil rights and environmental health.
While I have never carried a banner or marched for any cause, the values this award represents are deeply embedded in my family’s DNA—and in Serenbe’s foundation. For example, in the 1960s, Marie’s mother, who owned Mary Mac’s Tea Room, refused to implement segregation policies, a bold stance for a Southern restaurant at the time. In 1973, I co-founded The Peasant Restaurants, which were recognized as equal-opportunity employers in an era when workplace equity, especially in the South, was still a significant issue. These restaurants embraced diversity, ensuring equal pay and opportunities for people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ employees. The leadership and perspectives of these under-represented groups were central to our company’s culture and success.
Our connection to social justice deepened through our relationship with Rev. Austin Ford, who founded Emmaus House in the late 1960s in Atlanta’s Peoplestown neighborhood. With the support of the Episcopal Church, Emmaus House became a hub for community empowerment and advocacy. Marie volunteered there, leading its youth enrichment programs, which forged a lifelong friendship with Rev. Ford and his circle.
When we broke ground on Serenbe 20 years ago in South Fulton County, it was considered a risky move. The area had been historically redlined, a discriminatory practice that denied financial services to neighborhoods based on racial or ethnic composition. Yet, we moved forward. Today, Serenbe stands as a benchmark, shifting perceptions of South Metro Atlanta through thoughtful development rooted in respect for both people and nature.
Serenbe has never flown a banner or embraced tribal labels, but it has consistently fostered a culture of respect, acceptance, and inclusion—values that echo Dr. King’s vision. As I accept this award, I do so on behalf of the countless individuals who have made Serenbe what it is today. Each wave to a stranger, each project, and each act of kindness contributes to the culture that earned this recognition.
Special thanks to those behind the Black Art Project at Serenbe, which uses art to explore and address difficult conversations with openness and heart. Programs like those at the Art Farm, the creation of the Chatt Hills Charter School, the Terra Scholarship Program, Community Brickworks and partnerships with organizations like The Conservation Fund to place minority farmers on nearby farms exemplify our community’s commitment to equity and opportunity. These gestures—both large and small—reflect the spirit of Serenbe.
On behalf of every person and project that embodies this vision, I am proud to accept this award for Serenbe. It is a testament to what we can achieve when we honor both our shared humanity and our environment.
Steve Nygren
More About The King Center Environmental Justice Award
Every January, The King Center commemorates the life, legacy, and enduring impact of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a global icon of justice, compassion, and transformative leadership. Among the most anticipated moments of this week-long celebration is the Beloved Community Awards—an event that honors extraordinary individuals, organizations, and corporations who embody the virtues Dr. King championed.
These awards shine a spotlight on changemakers who carry forward Dr. King’s vision, dedicating themselves to advancing social justice and fostering a world rooted in compassion and equality.
This year, The King Center is thrilled to announce that Serenbe will be the recipient of the 2025 Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award, recognizing its outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and equity.
Why the Environmental Justice Award Matters
The Environmental Justice Award honors those who champion sustainable practices, fight against environmental degradation, and advocate for equitable protections and policies. Serenbe’s work embodies these principles, ensuring that people from all walks of life can benefit from a sustainable future.
From its conservation initiatives to its educational outreach, Serenbe demonstrates how communities can lead the way toward a more equitable and sustainable world. By prioritizing environmental justice, Serenbe not only transforms lives but also advances the creation of the Beloved Community—a world rooted in justice, respect, and shared opportunity.
Serenbe: A Vision for Sustainable Living
Serenbe exemplifies innovative environmental leadership, blending sustainability with community well-being. Through thoughtful design, conservation practices, and a profound respect for nature, Serenbe has cultivated a vibrant, thriving community that prioritizes both people and the planet.
Key aspects of Serenbe’s work include:
By weaving environmental consciousness into daily life, Serenbe serves as a blueprint for how communities worldwide can balance human potential with environmental integrity.
Celebrating Serenbe’s Contribution
On behalf of The King Center Board of Trustees, we extend heartfelt congratulations to Serenbe for this well-deserved recognition. Your visionary leadership inspires us all to imagine a better future—one where human potential and environmental harmony coexist seamlessly.
As we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, let Serenbe’s work remind us that creating a just and sustainable world is not only possible but essential. Together, we can build the Beloved Community that Dr. King so passionately dreamed of—one act of compassion, one community, and one bold vision at a time.
The award ceremony will be held on January 11, 2024 at The Omni Hotel Centennial Park, Atlanta.
More Information about 2025 Honorees: https://thekingcenter.org/king-holiday-2025/
Past 2024 Beloved Community Awards recipients:
Beloved Community Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation Award – Mrs. Deloris Jordan, Advocate and Philanthropist
Beloved Community Yolanda D. King Higher Ground Award – Michael J. Fox, Award-Winning Actor, Best-Selling Author, and Founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Beloved Community Civic Leadership Award – Faith and Politics Institute
Beloved Community Technological Innovation Award – Gitanjali Rao, Innovator, Author, STEM Promoter
Beloved Community Social Justice Award – Ben Crump, Esq., National Civil Rights Attorney
Beloved Community Christine King Farris Legacy of Service in Education Award – Spelman College
Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (individual) – Sara Mora, Student, Storyteller, and Immigrant Rights Advocate
Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award – Captain Planet Foundation
Beloved Community Corporate Social Impact Award – Lowe's