FROM VISION TO REALITY
COMMITTEE FOR KING AWARDS BANQUET
PROGRAM BEGINS AT 6:30 PM
Saturday, January 17 –
Committee for King Awards Banquet at 6:30 p.m., Tupelo Furniture Market Building V.
This uplifting evening will include inspiring music, a delicious meal, the presentation of the Image Award, Community Service Award, and Drum Major Award, and a powerful keynote address from Coach Larry Anderson, who retired in June 2025 after 30 seasons as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Born in Macon, Mississippi, Coach Anderson became the winningest coach in MIT history,
Coach Anderson’s story of perseverance, leadership, and service will inspire our community to turn vision into reality. For individual ticket information email, us at committeeforking86@gmail.com
LARRY ANDERSON
Coach Larry Anderson is a nationally respected educator, mentor, and coach whose life’s work is grounded in service, leadership, and community—values shaped early in Mississippi and carried throughout his nearly four-decade career in higher education.
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A proud Mississippi native and graduate of Rust College and East Mississippi Community College, Coach Anderson began his professional journey serving students and families across the state. He spent nearly a decade at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, leading student activities, athletics, and leadership development while advising student organizations. His commitment to community extended beyond campus through two terms as an elected member of the Holly Springs City Council.
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Since joining the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1995, Coach Anderson has transformed the MIT Men’s Basketball program into a nationally respected Top 25 team while mentoring generations of scholar-athletes. As an Associate Professor and senior athletic leader, he has overseen major athletic and educational programs, raised more than $1 million in program and endowed funding, and led impactful Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives.
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Beyond coaching and teaching, Coach Anderson remains a passionate community builder through youth mentorship, scholarship initiatives, nonprofit board service, and volunteerism. His journey—from Mississippi classrooms to national leadership in higher education—reflects a lifelong commitment to unity, opportunity, and service.
MATT LAUBHAN
“Matt Laubhan is the Emmy® winning Chief Meteorologist and owner of Mississippi LIVE Weather and North Mississippi's only Certified Broadcast Meteorologist™.
Matt started Mississippi LIVE Weather in early 2025 as a digital-first Connected TV service focused on covering weather for all North Mississippians.
Originally from the small Kansas town of Russell, Matt graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science. After college, Matt spent seven years forecasting for TV stations in Lubbock, Texas, before moving to Tupelo in 2011.
TERESA F. ROBERTS
DRUM MAJOR AWARD
Shannon native, Teresa Fields Roberts, is an activist, volunteer community nurse, educational ambassador and a believer in Jesus Christ. In 2020, Roberts joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. In September 2023, she found Nu Omega Sigma Tupelo Alumnae Chapter. Profoundly impacting youths, Roberts guided 20+ 4-H’ers in earning Congressional Medals, the highest award bestowed on young Americans by the U.S. Congress, and was devoted to the publication of her daughter’s (Alivia) first book, Leaping into Your Destiny: For Rising 7th Graders.
Roberts’ activism began during youthhood while admiringly shadowing an aunt, Mrs. Lillie Bell Johnson, fighting for social justice – reflecting her laurels: Parent of the Year, Southern Poverty Law Center graduate, selection for Mississippi Women in the Lead, Eliza Pillars Nurse of the Year, NAACP Service Award, Life Saver Hero Award, Choose to Grow Mentor of the Year, Mississippi 4-H Outstanding Volunteer Leader of the Year. Roberts has two master’s degrees: Nursing (University of Southern Mississippi) and Public Administration (University of Mississippi). Roberts is married to Kenneth Roberts and they have three daughters. She’s a member of Whitehill Missionary Baptist Church where she teaches New Members’ class and serves on several ministries under the leadership of Rev. Jeffery Daniel.
PASTOR MICHAEL STAMP
IMAGE AWARD
Pastor Michael Stamps is a servant-leader dedicated to unity, excellence, and community impact. Known for his compassion and integrity, he uses his many gifts writing, music, photography, and video production to lift others and glorify God.
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Michael is widely recognized as the person organizations can depend on. From audiovisual support at Plantersville Middle School to technical production for the Committee for King and Lee County School district convocation events, he consistently shows up and serves with excellence.
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He previously served as the founding Music and Media Director at King City Church before transitioning in 2022 to lead Grace Nation Bible Church in Verona after his father’s passing. Under his leadership, the church has become a community anchor, hosting block parties, distributing school supplies, and mentoring young men.
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Michael also co-hosts a podcast that addresses real-world challenges through a biblical lens. Known for his kindness, humility, and ability to connect with all people, he strives like the Apostle Paul to reach others with truth, love, and understanding.
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A devoted husband, father, son, and friend, Pastor Stamps continues to model what it means to serve God and community with purpose and heart.
THE ASSOCIATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION (AEE)
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The Association for Excellence in Education (AEE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding and enhancing the educational experience for every student in the Tupelo Public School District. Founded in 1983 and operating as a special project of the CREATE Foundation and an agency of the United Way of Northeast Mississippi, AEE has invested more than $3.6 million in teacher-led, community-funded grants that impact over 7,000 students from pre-K through 12th grade. Its work reflects Dr. King’s vision of love, compassion, respect, and equal opportunity for all children.
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Each year, AEE leads two major areas of service. First, it co-sponsors the Teacher, Assistant Teacher, and Champion of Distinction awards, a 25-year tradition that celebrates a diverse group of educators and support staff—including interventionists, counselors, bus drivers, security officers, and janitorial staff—who are often overlooked but essential to student success. Second, AEE funds innovative classroom and school-wide grants across the district, with recent awards exceeding $110,000 annually. These grants have supported projects such as mobile STEAM labs, industry-relevant technology like the Glowforge for multiple elementary schools, the Launching Leaders program for sixth grade girls, Native American Learning in Our Backyard for early childhood students, and a photography club at the Structured Day Program that gives alternative-school students a creative and empowering outlet.
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Led by a diverse 20-member volunteer board, AEE is committed to equity, creativity, and ensuring that every student has access to resources that help them learn, grow, and succeed. Their longstanding service and inclusive impact reflect the heart of Dr. King’s vision for community uplift and educational opportunity for all.