The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Commission announced Tuesday that State Rep. Shelia Stubbs, Lilada Gee and Shyra Adams have been selected to be honored with 2021 Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Awards.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award is presented annually to the person or persons who have demonstrated incredible leadership and volunteerism in the Madison area and reflects the values, beliefs and actions of Martin Luther King Jr.
“I would like to thank God, my husband Bishop Godfrey Stubbs, my daughter Aquila and our children in the Bahamas (Rikeshia, Gernecia, Godfreyna, Godfrey Jr., and Gabriel). I would like to thank my parents, Elder Linda Hoskins & Deacon Benjamin Hoskins, my siblings, my church family at End Time Ministries International, NAACP, and the Madison Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,” Stubbs tells Madison365. “I would also like to thank my nominees, the Dr. King Coalition members, colleagues at the Dane County Board of Supervisors and Wisconsin State Legislature, and my constituents. I am humbled, honored and grateful to be receiving such an esteemed award. I pray that my social justice work continues to improve this community, city, county and state. I pledge to continue the work that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. embodied.”
Adams will win the award under the emerging leader category presented to young people ages 18-25. The MLK, Jr. Holiday Program will be held on Monday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. and will be shown virtually.
Biographies of the MLK Humanitarian Award winners are below as provided:
Shyra Adams (she/her) is a Black Queer Youth Coordinator at Freedom Inc. Shyra loves to be with her family and friends. She has been with the organization since she was 13 years old and started off in Black Beauties, a group for young Black girls. Now Shyra is a coordinator of Black girls group at Freedom Inc. called Black girl matter. She is also working on the Police Free School campaign to ensure cops are out of schools and Black and Brown students feel safe and invested in. The summer of 2020, Shyra and her team was able to get cops out of schools. Additionally, Shyra is on the Food Justice Team and works at the Freedom Food Pantry to make sure Black folks get affordable and healthy foods. Shyra supports the Books and Breakfast program to help develop children’s literacy skills and teach them how to be safe. She also hopes one day she can support more youth of color and Queer youth with their mental health.
Shyra is adopted by two parents and surrounded by three siblings. She is currently going to MATC to be in the medical field. Her goal is to one day become an OBGYN. Shyra has a desire to help her community with love and passion.
Shelia Stubbs was born in Camden, Arkansas and moved to Beloit when she was five years old and graduated from Beloit Memorial High School. She attended Tougaloo College located in Tougaloo, Mississippi and Jackson State University located in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition, she attended Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, Wis. and Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. She earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administration and a bachelor of arts in political science and a master’s in science and management.
Stubbs was elected as the Dane County Board of Supervisor, District 23-South Madison on April 18, 2006. She was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly on August 15, 2018, and become the first African American to represent Dane County in the state Legislature breaking 170 years of history. She represents District 77 which represents the south and west parts of the City of Madison.
Stubbs is extremely active in the community in providing leadership, mentoring and volunteer services. She has been president of the Bridge/Lake Point Neighborhood Association Former First-Vice President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People-Madison Branch, former 3rd Vice-President of the WI State NAACP Conference of Branches, former Youth Advisor for the Madison Youth Council of the NAACP, and WI Women of Color. She is a member of the Madison Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has been the recipient of many community recognition and service awards including the 5th Annual Pride Festival Spirit Award, Friends of Joining Forces for Families Award, 100 Women in White, Genesis Social Services Corporation & The Black Women Expo Award, 100 Black Men of Madison Award, Eleanor Roosevelt Award, and One of Wisconsin 44th Most Influential African-Americans, among others.
She was ordained on May 26, 2013, at End Time Ministries International under the leadership of Bishop Godfrey A. Stubbs and is the mother of daughter Aquila. Also, she is a co-founder of the End Time Ministries International Church in Madison.
Lilada Gee is an artist, muralist, healer, preacher, author and international inspirational speaker and podcast host. Drawing upon her experiences as a survivor of both childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence, Lilada founded a non-profit organization—Defending Black Girlhood—that specializes in advocating for Black girls being safe in their homes, schools and communities to live, learn and be loved. Via her Black Woman Heal Collective, she has sparked an international healing movement throughout the African Diaspora that empowers Black women to create safe places for themselves and Black girls to heal. For more information, please visit Lilada.org.
