St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Toledo, OH
The 2026 Drum Major Awards were celebrated on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Toledo. Held in conjunction with the Mass for Promoting Harmony, the annual awards recall the legacy of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. by honoring individuals whose lives reflect a commitment to racial justice, peace, and service to those on the margins.
The Drum Major Awards recognize recipients who openly and actively support the Church’s social teaching and racial justice efforts, call for peace where there is conflict, serve the disenfranchised in their communities, and strive for racial equality. Each honoree’s life and work must be in harmony with Catholic values and not contradict Catholic beliefs.
This year’s recipients—Jim Peniston, Paige Price, and Michelle Wojnowski—exemplify these qualities through their faithful and generous service.
The Mass for Promoting Harmony and presentation of the Drum Major Awards are made possible by the Black Catholic Ministry of the Diocese of Toledo through the Annual Catholic Appeal, along with support from the Black and Indian Mission Grant from the USCCB. Through prayer, recognition, and celebration of service, the 2026 Drum Major Awards once again called the community to live out the Gospel mandate of justice, peace, and love in the spirit of Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
