Madison Reporter

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway have announced the recipients of the 2025 City-County Humanitarian Awards, which honor the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year's honorees are Charles Tubbs and Sheray Wallace, recognized for their dedication to service, equity, and justice.

"Charles and Sheray represent the very best of our community through their unwavering dedication to service and advocacy for equity," said County Executive Agard. "Charles’s remarkable career in public service and Sheray’s grassroots efforts in public health and community engagement inspire us all to work towards a more just and inclusive society. Congratulations to both honorees on this well-deserved recognition."

Mayor Rhodes-Conway echoed these sentiments: "Dr. King said life's most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ Charles and Sheray have earned this recognition because they answered that call to serve with persistency and urgency. Our honorees are also a reminder that to truly serve our residents, we need leaders at every level working together to reach the same shared goal. Thank you, Charles and Sheray, for your unwavering efforts to better our community."

The awards will be presented during the annual City-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance on January 20, 2025, at the Overture Center for the Arts.

Charles Tubbs has over five decades of experience in public service across emergency management, law enforcement, corrections, and community safety. He was named among the “Top 100 Law Enforcement Officials/Heroes in the USA” by Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and George H. Bush. Tubbs played a significant role in Dane County's COVID-19 response by ensuring equitable resource distribution and demonstrated leadership during social justice demonstrations after George Floyd's death.

Sheray Wallace is known for her commitment to community health since moving to Madison in 1999. She became Madison's first certified community health worker and founded Meadowood Health Partnership. Wallace organized vaccine clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic in marginalized neighborhoods and supports various initiatives including violence prevention programs.

Both honorees exemplify Dr. King's values through their extensive contributions to their communities.

More information about the event can be found at mlkingcoalition.org