Elizabeth R. Kent will receive the award at a 7 p.m. ceremony at the Church of the Crossroads.

Kent has been instrumental in developing and implementing mediation programs throughout the state, according to a United Church of Christ news release. She is dedicated to creating peace from conflict and diminishing violence, pain and discrimination in our society and provides vital leadership to helping people resolve disputes peacefully.

"Ms. Kent is clearly a person who has done and continues to do so much in advancing the cause of peace and social justice in our communities," state Mike Compton, Chairperson of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration committee.