In honor of Black History Month, which begins today, WNYW/Channel 5 anchor Dari Alexander is receiving a special award tonight. 

Alexander has been named the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Award winner.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Award has been presented by the Consulate General of Israel for the past 20 years to individuals and organizations promoting ethnic and cultural understanding.

Each year the State of Israel, 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.

In association with this award, the Jewish National Fund will plant trees in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Forest in Israel. Trees have been planted for past honorees including Martin Luther King III, former Mayor David Dinkins, and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte.