By Melissa Vince, Ohio MLK Awards
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission has announced the winners of the annual Ohio MLK Awards honoring the service and achievements of Ohio residents and organizations in areas consistent with the teachings and example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Governor’s Humanitarian Award was presented to Deacon Royce Winters, director of African American Pastoral Ministries for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Crescent Parishes director of evangelization at the Church of the Resurrection.
The governor said, “Congratulations to these Ohioans who live by Dr. King’s principles of freedom, equality, justice, liberty, individuality and respect. “We honor them for their contributions and service to their communities.”
The commission presented the awards on Jan. 16 during the 40th annual Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration at Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbus.
Christina Rodriguez, commission chair, said, “This year’s award winners are selfless, servant-led leaders who go the extra mile and place others before their own needs.”
According to the award information, Deacon Winters, of Cincinnati, is one of those quiet soldiers who promote the welfare of humanity and the elimination of pain and suffering through their own selfless service, often without recognition.
Deacon Royce Winters exemplifies the spirit of selfless service and personal activism. “His unwavering commitment to promoting the welfare of humanity through the elimination of pain and suffering stands as a model for all to emulate,” according to his nominator.
A Cincinnati police officer for 26 years, he became a permanent deacon eight years before he retired from the force.
He leads initiatives that facilitate the affirmation, acceptance and inclusion of people of African heritage within the Catholic Church. Under his guidance, the Office for African American Pastoral Ministries empowers individuals to grow spiritually and become active disciples of Christ, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
Winters’ deep understanding of the challenges faced by African American Catholics is reflected in his powerful words: “For so many of us being Black and Catholic means having come into the Church because education opened the door to evangelization.”
His insight captures the essence of his mission: to advocate for the rights and recognition of marginalized voices while empowering them to take charge of their spiritual and educational journeys.
His commitment extends beyond the Church; he serves on the Xavier Jesuit Academy board of trustees, a newly established institution in the Bond Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, designed to offer a transformative, scholarship-funded education for young men.
He believes passionately that “to change their lives, and the lives of their families, we must educate them.” His vision is clear: through education, we can dismantle the barriers that perpetuate poverty and suppress dreams.
His nominator said, “In a community where many face the daily struggles of poverty, Deacon Winters is a beacon of hope. He understands that ‘poverty suppresses the ability to dream,’ and he is tirelessly working to change that narrative.
“His leadership and dedication have inspired countless individuals to rise above their circumstances, embodying the principles of service and resilience that Dr. King championed.”
Feature Image: Deacon Royce Winters. Photo provided
Congratulations Royce this is a nice article. Proud of your commitmen.