Talk Show Celeb Wendy Williams Receives MLK Award
State of
Left: Consul General of
NEW YORK – In celebration of Black History month, talk-show host Wendy Williams received the 2010 Martin Luther King
Award. Ms. Williams received the award, from Asaf Shariv, Consul General of Israel in New York, in honor of her work
toward dialogue, understanding and compassion between people of different backgrounds. During her years in television and radio, Ms.
Williams has successfully crossed all barriers of religion and ethnicity to become a leader in the community at-large, representing
and respecting everyday America.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Award has been presented by the Consulate General of Israel in New York for the past 19 years to
individuals and organizations promoting ethnic and cultural understanding. This annual tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
honors the dream of peaceful coexistence between people of diverse religions, cultures, and ethnicities. To commemorate this great
visionary, each year the State of Israel, together with the Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New
York, honor those whose work keeps alive Dr. King's legacy of hope and peace.
“Ms. Williams is a media icon who knows how to communicate to her audience which consists of a broad section of American. Her
warmth in dialogue creates an atmosphere of equality and encourages her viewers to talk about everyday issue, setting aside
any differences in backgrounds,” explained Consul General
African American community and the Jewish people and the State of Israel. This bond is unbreakable. We are honored to be able to
present this award for the past 19 years and we are honored to have Ms. Williams as this year’s recipient.”
"This makes me feel like I'm part of something very special," said Williams adding joyously "They even called me an icon." The award
was presented on the set of the Wendy Williams Show in front of her studio audience.
In association with this award and in recognition of Ms. William’s outreach, the Jewish National Fund has planted trees in her honor
in the Dr. Martin Luther King Forest in Israel. These trees come as an addition to trees planted for past honorees which include:
former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, entrepreneur Russell Simmons, Congressman Charles Rangel, author Toni Morrison,
jazz legend Lionel Hampton and many others.
Keren Gelfand
Consulate General of Israel in New York
212-499-5414
