BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024-2025
Chairman of the Board
Sidney D. Barron
Vice President, Corporate Development & Real Estate
Asbury Automotive Group
Chairman Elect
Aaron N. Swain
President and Co-Owner
Columbia Residential Properties, LLC
Secretary Jerrell M. Moore
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources & Diversity Officer Cadence Bank
Treasurer
Steve S. Julal, MBA, CPA President
VAAS Professionals, LLC
Financial Secretary
Marvin E. Flewellen, CFA
Head of Client Management, Investments Invesco Ltd.
Parliamentarian
Joseph L. Wilson, Esq.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner Wilson Rowley, LLC
Chaplain
Bishop William Murphy III
Founder and Lead Pastor
The dReam Center Church of Atlanta
Historian
Carl C. Hill
Corporate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED
Immediate Past Chairman (ex-officio)
Keith I. Millner
Managing Partner/Co-Founder Coaching Catalyst, LLC
General Counsel (ex-officio)
Kevin A. Gooch
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP
Executive Director/COO (ex-officio)
Rev. Louis E. Negrón, Sr., MSA, MACM
At-Large Directors
Joel Alvarado
Vice President, Strategy and Engagement Partnership for Southern Equity
Joshua E. Byrd, Sr.
Program Chair & Professor American Intercontinental University
Pedro P. Cherry President and CEO
Atlanta Gas Light & Chattanooga Gas Companies
Greg Clay Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services City of Atlanta
Sherman T. Hampton
National Account Executive Rollins, Inc.
Sylvester J. Harris, Jr.
Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer S.J. Harris & Company, Inc.
Mark C. O’Riley
Attorney, Office of General Counsel IBM
Antrell D. Tyson, Esq.
Regional Director
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Christen Wright
Vice President of Product Management Reseda Group
Dear 100 Members, Distinguished Guests, and Community Partners,
On behalf of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., I welcome you to the 2024 100 Honors Gala. Your presence here tonight embodies the spirit of this year’s theme: “Our Youth, Our City, Our Future.” We celebrate a shared commitment to empowering the next generation, strengthening our community, and building a brighter future for all.
This evening is significant as we recognize the transformative work that has continued throughout the challenges of recent years. Despite these obstacles, our organization has remained steadfast in its mission to improve the lives of young people across Metro Atlanta, primarily through our flagship program, Project Success. Thanks to the dedication of supporters like you, we are making significant strides toward shaping tomorrow’s leaders.
Executive Director’s Letter
As we gather to honor those who have invested their time, talent, and resources in our cause, we are reminded that our city’s future rests on our youth’s potential. These honorees have played a pivotal role in empowering tens of thousands of students, and their impact will be felt for years.
Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 academic year, our focus remains clear: to create meaningful opportunities for our youth that will, in turn, drive progress throughout our city. But we cannot do this alone. We need your continued partnership, and we ask that you stand with us, not only as supporters but as champions of our mission.
Tonight, I invite you to reflect on our impact together and the possibilities ahead. With your generosity and leadership, we can build a future where every young person in Atlanta has the opportunity to succeed.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to Our Youth, Our City, and Our Future.
With sincere gratitude,
Louis E. Negron, Sr. Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.
Founding Members
Nathaniel R. Goldston, III*
William “Bill” Campbell, Esq.
Willie H. Clemons, PhD
Clarence Cooper, Esq.
Alonzo A. Crim, PhD*
Thomas F. Cuffie, Esq.
Joseph I. Hoffman, Jr., M.D., P.C.
Dwight E. Jones, M.D
Chairmen’s Circle
Nathaniel R. Goldston, III (1986-89)*
Joseph I. Hoffman, Jr., M.D., P.C. (1989-91)
William “Sonny” Walker (1991-93)*
Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. (1993-95)*
Curley M. Dossman, Jr. (1995-97)
Raymond J. McClendon (1997-99)
James W. George (1999)*
Bernard M. Porché (2000-02)
William J. Stanley, III, FAIA, NOMAC (2002-04)
Robert G. Haley (2004-06)
Members
Mark C. Adams
Michael D. Adams
William A. Alexander, M.D.
Stephen J. Alford
Joel Alvarado
Michael K. Anderson
Rock Anderson, Jr.
Jay M. Bailey
Eric Barnum
Sidney D. Barron
Derrick E. Bell
Mark S. Berry, PhD, PE
Cornelius “C.J.” Best, Jr.
N. John Bey
Michael J. Blakely, Jr.
Justin Blalock
Fred D. Blankenship, III
Isaac Blythers
William K. Boddie, Jr.
Dwayne Boothe
Robert O. Bozeman
Duke Bradley III, Ph.D.
Tony T. Brevard
John W. Brewer, Jr.
Garry W. Bridgeman
George A. Brown
Kirk A. Brown
John Bryant
Charles Meredith
Leon J. Oldham, III*
Dennis Turner, Jr., M.D.
Mack Wilbourn
Charles “Chuck” Williams*
Edward “E.B.” Williams, PhD
Robert “Bob” Williams*
Walter F. Young, D.D.S.
Darrell A. Fitzgerald, FAIA, LEED AP (2006-08)
Terrell L. Slayton, Jr. (2008)*
Milton H. Jones, Jr. (2009-11)
Gregory L. Hawkins (2011-13)
Henry A. Kelly, CPA (2013-15)
William Lamar, Jr. (2015-17)
Larry L. Johnson (2017-19)
Kevin A. Gooch (2019-21)
Keith I. Millner (2021-23)
Sidney D. Barron (2023-25) *=Deceased
Paul E. Bryant
Cedric C. Burns, AAI
Joshua E. Byrd, Sr.
Richard H. Byrd
Ryan D. Cameron
Larry J. Campbell
W. Imara Canady
Winston K. Carhee, Jr., DC
Pedro P. Cherry, CFA
Greg Clay
Pierre O. Clements
Willie H. Clemons, Ph.D.
Kevin T. Conner
Ralph D. Cook, Jr.
Clarence Cooper, Esq.
Wayne E. Copper
John L. Cornelius, Jr.
Marlon D. Cousin
Thomas F. Cuffie, Esq.
Louis S. Culpepper, Jr., CPP, CFE, CHS
Armond Davis
Cory C. Davis
Greg A. Davis, Jr.
Dorian DeBarr
Derin B. Dickerson
Hardy K. Dorsey, Sr.
Thomas W. Dortch, III
Curley M. Dossman, Jr.
Paul L. Douglass, MD, MACC, FSCAI
Michael H. Dulan, Sr.
Monte A. Edwards
Norman L. Elliott, M.D.
Marvin Ellison
Stephen A. Elmore, Sr., CPA, CFF, CBA
William J. Epps, M.D.
Austin O. Esogbue, PhD, FAS, FAEng, NNOM
Jason Esteves
Julius Farrington
Burt Fealing
Alan E. Ferguson, Sr.
Darryl J. Ferguson
Darrell A. Fitzgerald, FAIA, LEED
Marvin E. Flewellen, CFA
Anthony Flynn
Jason Frazier
Charles J. Gibbs
Chris E. Gilmore
Ural D. Glanville
Jonathan D. Goins
Kevin A. Gooch, Esq.
Eddie F. Grant
Anthony Greene
Ernest L. Greer, Esq.
Robert G. Haley
Jason A. Halliburton
Garfield A. Hammonds, Jr.
Sherman T. Hampton
Marc Hardy
Darryl Harmon
Bennie Harris, Ph.D.
Niles Harris
Sylvester J. Harris, Jr., MRED
Arnold W. Harrison, II
Cameron D. Hawkins
Gregory L. Hawkins
Patrick L. Henderson
Jamael Hester
Carl C. Hill
H. Eric Hilton
Ernest M. Hodge
Joseph I. Hoffman, Jr., M.D.
Desmond L. Hollingsworth
Raphael L. Holloway
DeVon E. Hudson
James “Mac” Hunter, Esq.
Birdel F. Jackson, III, P.E.
Kevin James, Ed.D.
Larry L. Johnson
Lonnie G. Johnson
Tony R. Johnson
Archie L. Jones, Jr.
George C. Jones, Sr.
Milton H. Jones, Jr.
Milton V. Jones
Nicholas Jones, M.D., FACS
Reuben D. Jones
Tony C. Jones
Waymon E. Jones
Steve S. Julal
Charles Kelley
Henry A. Kelly, CPA
Kenneth Kelly
Jesse W. Killings
B. Mitchell King
Craig A. King
William Lamar, Jr.
Paul B. Larkin
Chadwick D. Lee
Georj L. Lewis, Ed.D.
Milton Little, Jr.
Morris O. Little, Jr., Esq.
Miguel S. Lloyd
David W. Long-Daniels, Esq.
Ronald E. Mabra, Jr.
Richard Makerson, III
Reggie Marable
Wayne Martin, Jr.
Brandon F. Marzo, Esq.
Amadeus Mason, MD, CAQSM, RMSK
Hermon L. Mason, CLF
Curtis McBath
Torrence A. McKnight, Sr., Ed.D.
Whitcliff A. McKnight, Jr.
Al McRae, Jr.
Justin Miller
Keith I. Millner
Arthur L. Mills, IV
Ceasar C. Mitchell, Esq.
Darin W. Mitchell, Jr.
Clyde E. Mize, Jr.
Andrew L. Momon, Jr.
Rufus N. Montgomery, Jr.
Charles Moody, III
Jerrell M. Moore
Theodore M. Morgan, II
Donald K. Murphy, CPA, FCPA, CFE, CGFM, CGMA
William H. Murphy, III
Winfield W. Murray
Kevin R. Murriel, D.Min.
Edwin Neal
Louis E. Negron, Sr., MSA, MACM
James Nelson, Jr.
Nick F. Nelson
Prince Njoku
Sean C. Norman
Shayne E. O’Reilly
Mark C. O’Riley
Gregory O. Ojo, Ph.D., ACSP
Oluseun Olufade, M.D.
Dadisi Olutosin
Michael R. Pack, P.E., MBA
Keith T. Parker, AICP
Kenneth S. Payne
Chuck Petross
Mark A. Pitts
Brian D. Poe
Bernard M. Porche
Albenny Price, D.C.
Arthur L. Raines, Jr., M.D.
Bryan Rand
Marc A. Rawls, Esq.
M. Kasim Reed, Esq.
Herman L. Reese, Ed.D.
Evan F. Reynolds
Mitchell Robinson
Leron E. Rogers, Esq.
Paul Rue, II
Robert J. Rumley, III
H. Jerome Russell, Jr.
Michael B. Russell
Napoleon B. Rutledge, Jr., CPA
Kirk D. Saddler, M.D.
David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D
Joseph G. Saulsbury, II, M.D.
James E. Scarborough
Douglass P. Selby
Andrew C. Shannon
DeAngelo Simmons
Steven M. Simmons
David L. Simpson, Jr.
Hassan Smith
Nathaniel Q. Smith, Jr.
W. Tyrone Smith
William J. Stanley, III, FAIA, Hon. FRAIC, NOMAC
Michael T. Sterling, Sr.
C. Ryan Stewart
Chris Stewart, III
Tony L. Strickland
G. Brady Stringer, Ph.D., CBM, CMC
Walter W. Sullivan, Jr., Ph.D.
Aaron N. Swain
Jerry Thomas, Jr., Esq.
Ronald S. Thomas
Brannigan Thompson, sPHR, Cpp
William T. Thompson, Esq. CSP
Otis T. Threatt, Jr.
Earl H. Thurmond, MD, FACP, MBA
Ponce D. Tidwell, Jr.
Adeoye O. Tinubu, P.E.
Justin Triplett
Elliott Ture
Dennis Turner, Jr., M.D.
Dwayne L. Turner, DDS, MBA
Antrell D. Tyson, Esq.
Stephen P. Valrie
Clint Walker
Delvin L. Walker
Jesse Walton, Jr., CFP, CIMA, CPWA
Donald R. Washington, Jr.
Keith D. Washington, Jr.
Willie A. Watkins
Daniel J. Whitner, Jr., DDS
Delmar L. Whittington, II
Tirrell D. Whittley
Ananias Williams, III
Brandon Williams
Cassius L. Williams, Sr.
Craig Williams
Stewart D. Williams, Jr.
Clarence Williamson, Jr.
Brent L. Wilson, Esq.
Joseph Wilson
Ryan M. Wilson
Jim Winestock
Christopher C. Womack
Ronald D. Wood
Kevin E. Woods, M.D., MPH
Lionel Je Woodyard
Christen Wright
Robert J. Yancy, Ph.D.
Andrew J. Young
Walter F. Young, D.D.S.
Chaka Zulu
Dear Guests,
What an honor it has been to serve as honorary Co-Chairs for this prestigious event. Though our city is fortunate to be blessed with a number of charitable organizations, we believe yours – The 100 Black Men of Atlanta – has had the most profound impact on African American youth.
The vision this group was founded on so many years ago has been realized even beyond what its creators dreamed was possible. The number of students who have been helped and the magnitude of their success is an achievement that every single person in this room deserves to be proud of. Because all of you have made a contribution, just being here tonight is evidence of your support. So, whether it’s students of the past, today, or tomorrow that will benefit from your generosity, know that you made a difference in their lives. And that in itself is something to be celebrated.
So tonight, as we gather together to dine, drink, and deliver praise to our kind-hearted supporters, partners and award winners, let us remember the reason we are all here – to make the world a better place. It starts right here in this room, it starts with you, and we are honored to be among you.
Best Wishes to You All,
Al McRae
W. Allen and Sherry Bell
Al McRae, Honorary Co-Chair W. Allen and Sherry Bell, Honorary Co-Chair
Hello Friends,
It has been our privilege to serve as Co-chairs of the 2024 100 Honors Gala. 100 Honors is a celebratory black-tie gala for the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. and our stakeholders, and our premier fundraising event for project success programs and scholars. Through an evening of celebration, recognition, and entertainment, attendees will experience highlights of the remarkable programs and achievements of the students we support. You will hear stories of overcoming adversity and perseverance to the most difficult circumstances to achieve success.
In 1986, Atlanta based entrepreneur, Nathaniel R. Goldston III assembled 18 of his friends and associates together to share the vision of starting a community empowerment organization that would focus on Atlanta’s underprivileged youth. Goldston, who had been exposed to a similar concept during a business meeting in New York called One Hundred Black Men of New York, aptly named the newly formed coalition 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. Today, we are more than 200 members strong.
We thank all of you for attending and supporting this celebration that will help 100 black men of Atlanta, ink to continue in its mission. Please continue to give your support to the 100 and the project success. With your support, our youth will have the funds, resources, and encouragement that would otherwise be absent from their lives. With your support, our next leaders can prosper.
With Gratitude,
Marlon D. Cousin, Chair
W. Imara Canady, Co-Chair
Albenny Price, DC
Albert Wright
Aprio, LLP
Asbury Automotive Group
Bank of Ozk
Cadence Bank
Carl and Cherie Hill
CBRE
CJ Best
Clark Atlanta University
Class of ‘18 AM AO MO
Columbia Residential Properties, LLC
Covenant Healthshare
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
CUM LAUDE
Cox Enterprises
Emory Healthcare
Gas
South
Georgia Injury Attorneys
John Bey and Associates
Kimberly -Clark
Law Office of Cameron Hawkins
Mabra Law
MBC Concessions, Inc.
MolsonCoors
Norfolk Southern
Regions Bank
Rieles Group, LLC
MEDIA SPONSORS
Rollins Inc.
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
SDG Impact Fund, Inc.
Southern Company
The Sullivan Family
VASS Professionals
Veterans Technology Solutions-USA
Watchtower Security
William Lamar, Jr.
Zion’s Hill, LLC / Marvin & Caren Flewellen
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
AUDREY WASHINGTON
Audrey Washington has been part of the WSB-TV family since March 2015 and is a multi-Emmy-Award winning Journalist.
Before joining Channel 2 Action News, Audrey served as a reporter and fillin Anchor at WVIT NBC Connecticut. Audrey covered several major stories there, including the Sandy Hook school shooting and the Boston Marathon bombings. Audrey was also a part of the team that was awarded a George Foster Peabody Award for the station’s coverage of Sandy Hook. Her live reports were featured on NBC News, CNN, “Hardball” with Chris Matthews, the “Today Show” and MSNBC. Before heading to Connecticut, Audrey worked as an anchor/reporter at WJAR NBC 10 News in Rhode Island. While at NBC 10, Audrey broke several news stories including the Regency Plaza Kidnapping Case and the controversial release of convicted child murderer, Michael Woodmansee. She also developed and reported on a special “Back to School: Survival Guide” series featured on NBC 10 News and the “Today Show.”
The Long Island, NY native previously worked as a reporter at WSYR News Channel 9 in Syracuse and started her career as an anchor/reporter at WITN-TV in Greenville, N.C. During her time at WITN-TV, Audrey scored an exclusive interview with President Barack Obama. In 2022, Audrey received the ‘Best Reporter’ Award by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GABBYS).
That same year she was awarded a Southeast EMMY Award for ‘Best Reporter Live.’ The following year she was a part of the Southeast EMMY Award-winning team for best evening newscast, large market. Her feature and spot news reports were also honored by both The Associated Press and the Radio Television News Directors Association of the Carolinas.
Audrey has also worked behind the scenes at New York City’s FOX 5 News, Lifetime Television, MTV Networks and News 12 Long Island.
She enjoys listening to live music, volunteering, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends. Audrey is a graduate of Pace University in New York.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
FRED BLANKENSHIP
Fred Blankenship joined the WSB-TV Channel 2 in 2007. He’s been waking up Georgians ever since as the anchor of Channel 2 Action News This Morning from 4:30 a.m.-7 a.m.
He’s covered everything from the COVID-19 pandemic to hurricanes during his time at the station. Fred’s most memorable moment at WSB was honoring the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday by walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with Congressman John Lewis. It was on that bridge that Congressman Lewis was nearly killed with other protestors.
Fred has been honored with several Emmy awards for his work on Channel 2 Action News This Morning and Channel 2 Action News at Noon. He’s also involved with several organizations in Atlanta, including “100 Black Men of Atlanta” and “Leadership Atlanta.”
Before joining Channel 2 Action News, Fred worked in San Diego, California and Wichita, Kansas.
PROGRAM
The Processional 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.
Call to Celebration
Fred Blakenship and Audrey Washington Anchors, WSB TV-2
Invocation
Bishop William Murphy III
Lead Pastor, dReam Center Church of Atlanta
Greetings
Sidney Barron
Chairman of the Board, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.
Introduction of Project Success Students
Louis E. Negron, Sr.
Executive Director and COO, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.
Student Testimonial
Amya Payne
Senior, Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Sponsor Greetings
Tenisha Valliant-Irvin Program Manager, AJ Terrell Foundation
Honorary Chair Greetings
Al McRae
President, Bank of America Atlanta
Sherry and W. Allen Bell
Atlanta Resource Foundation
Dinner
Presentation of the Maynard H. Jackson Community Impact Award
Recipient - The Honorable Andre Dickens, 61st Mayor of Atlanta
Presentation of the John Lewis Emerging Leader Award
Recipient - Zoe Oli, CEO of Beautiful Curly Me
Presentation of the Corporate Responsibility Award
Recipient – Google
Student Testimonial
Marcus Daniels
Senior, The B.E.S.T. Academy
Presentation of the Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Civic Leadership Award
Recipient – Dr. Albenny Price, Former Program Administrator of Adult Education Center, Atlanta Public Schools
Presentation of the Andrew Young Lifetime Achievement Award
Recipient – Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF
Student Testimonial
James McGee
Senior, Morehouse College
Presentation of the Nathaniel R. Goldston III Trailblazer Award
Recipient – Dr. Rashad Richey, President, Rolling Out
Closing Remarks
Chairman Sidney Barron
The After Glow
Featuring Tony Tatum Experience & DJ Tron
HONOREES
Maynard H. Jackson Community Impact Award ANDRE DICKENS
Andre Dickens is the 61st Mayor of Atlanta.
Prior to becoming mayor, he served as an at-large City Council member for two terms. In addition to serving in public office, Mayor Dickens has been a businessman and nonprofit executive and is an engineer, deacon, father and native Atlantan. His career follows his passions and his impact follows his commitment.
As the Post 3 At-Large Council member, Andre Dickens was a vocal legislative leader on public safety, transportation, affordable housing, workforce development, educational opportunities for Atlanta Public Schools students, and seasoned citizens programming. He served as the chairman of the Transportation Committee, providing oversight to city streets, bridges, sidewalks, paths, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport. In 2017, he chaired the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee, during which time homicides went down 33% and all violent crimes decreased 12%.
Some of his legislative highlights include: creating the Department of Transportation, sponsoring legislation increasing annual salaries for Senior Patrol Officers, implementing a $15 per hour minimum wage for city employees, establishing BeltLine Inclusionary Zoning for affordable housing, establishing the Atlanta Youth Commission, setting aside a $40 million Housing Opportunity Bond, creating a joint commission between City Council and APS board, and establishing a BeltLine senior housing rehab program. In 2017, he sponsored and helped launch the Teen “Midnight” Basketball League, a program which includes workshops that help young men develop life skills and further their education.
Mayor Dickens is also the Chief Development Officer for TechBridge, a nonprofit that drives community impact by bringing affordable technology and business expertise to other nonprofit organizations. In 2018, he co-founded the Technology Career Program, a free program designed to prepare unemployed and individuals experiencing disadvantage in the work field for a career in the growing technology job market. The program teaches high demand technology skills while helping participants land jobs in IT departments across Atlanta.
Mayor Dickens previously served as the Assistant Director of Outreach Initiatives for Georgia Tech’s Office of Institute Diversity. He spearheaded Tech’s African-American Male Institute, which resulted in a significant increase in the GPA and graduation rate among black males. He also managed the Focus graduate school recruitment program and the Challenge Program that helped hundreds of students successfully transition into college life each year.
Early in his career, Mayor Dickens worked as a sales engineer for DSM Engineering Plastics and became the youngest and first Black salesman of the year. At the age of 28, he co-founded City Living Home Furnishings, which grew into a multi-million dollar retail business with two locations. Mayor Dickens ran the company for nine years until 2011.
Mayor Dickens also serves as a member of the Georgia Tech Alumni Board of Directors, an Alumnus of Leadership Atlanta, Diversity Leadership Atlanta, United Way VIP; Regional Leadership Institute, member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc.; deacon of New Horizon Baptist Church; and several other organizations and affiliations.
John Lewis Emerging Leader Award ZOE OLI
Zoe Oli is the 12-year-old CEO of Beautiful Curly Me, an Atlantabased Toy and Media company on a mission to instill and inspire confidence in young girls. Along with a line of beautiful black dolls and empowering puzzles, Zoe is also the author of several children’s books.
Zoe has been featured on various platforms including Good Morning America, Black Enterprise, Forbes, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. She is a Time & Nickelodeon Kid of the Year Finalist and the world’s youngest black TEDx speaker.
An 8th grader who loves reading, art and all things STEM, Zoe has made it her mission to give back and for every doll purchased on beautifulcurlyme.com, one is donated to a young girl in need.
Zoe speaks regularly at conferences, schools and corporate events. She is passionate about inspiring young people to dream big and pursue their goals and recently co-founded Youth Mean Business, a growth accelerator for Youth Entrepreneurs (ages 11-17).
Corporate Responsibility Award GOOGLE
Google is committed to the community of Atlanta. We support sustainable operations, racial equity and especially making a difference. Our offices and data centers enable the organization to contribute to the economies where our employees live and work. Here in Atlanta, Google’s presence began in 2003 with a data center in Douglas County. Google is pleased to support its community partners and applauds the work of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta Google believes in Our Youth, Our City, Our Future.
Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Civic Leadership Award ALBENNY PRICE
After 24 years of service to Atlanta Public Schools, Albenny Price retired as the Program Administrator for the Adult Education Center in December 31, 2022. In this role he led the day-to-day operations of Adult Education Programs for students, instructors, and supporting personnel.
After meeting many young adults who had limited employment opportunities because of their incomplete education profiles, Albenny joined the Atlanta Public Schools in 1999 as a Literacy Teacher. After ten years of service, he was selected to lead this initiative as the Program Administrator. Under his leadership Atlanta Public Schools exceeded all State of Georgia benchmarks for six consecutive years. During COVID-19, he led the development of a virtual instruction platform to support students during the pandemic.
In addition to his work as an educator, Albenny has been a licensed Chiropractor since 1986. He is well regarded in the Chiropractic field and continues to serve on the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners for 18 years, assessing the competence of Chiropractic license candidates for the state of Georgia.
Albenny earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Morehouse College and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College. A continuous learner, he also completed the Specialist program in Educational Leadership at Clark Atlanta University in 2015.
He is engaged in the community and is committed to service. As a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, Albenny chairs the Chapter Development Committee since 2017 and serves as a member of the/Nominating Committee since 2015 for the national organization. He is a past member of the Board of Directors and served as chair of Program committee since 2004, and serves now as co-chair of Programs since 2019 for the Atlanta Chapter. Albenny is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Eta Lambda Chapter. He is a member of Cascade United Methodist Church, where he serves on the Men’s Usher Board.
Albenny is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He has been married to Helen Smith Price for 41 years, and they are the proud parents of an adult son, Alexander.
As a young adult, Albenny embraced a quote from Jackie Robinson as his motto, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives”. He continues to give his time, talent and treasure in an effort to help others and make a difference.
Andrew Young Lifetime Achievement Award MICHAEL L. LOMAX
Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., serves as president and CEO of UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization and the largest private provider of scholarships and other educational support to underrepresented students.
A native of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Lomax entered Morehouse College at the age of 16 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English as one of the college’s inaugural Phi Beta Kappa graduates. He earned a Master of Arts degree in English literature from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in American and African American literature from Emory University. Dr. Lomax has served on the faculties of both Morehouse and Spelman Colleges.
Dr. Lomax began his civic career in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as the director of research and special assistant to then-Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson. While in this position, Lomax helped establish the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs, where he served as its first director.
In 1978, Dr. Lomax was elected to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and became the first African American to be elected as board chairman, a position he held from 1981 to 1993. In this role, he was responsible for a $500 million annual operating budget and 5,000 county employees. He also founded the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, the Fulton County Arts Council, and the National Black Arts Festival.
To meet the needs of a vibrantly changing community, he oversaw the building of Georgia’s Interstate 400, a major highway on the outskirts of Atlanta; the expansion and renovation of the historic Grady Hospital; and the building of the new Fulton County Government Center. In 1988, he co-chaired the Democratic National Convention and was instrumental in bringing the 1996 Olympic Games to Atlanta.
In 1994, Dr. Lomax began his tenure as president of the National Faculty, an Atlanta-based organization dedicated to bringing together arts and sciences higher education scholars with K-12 teachers.
From 1997 to 2004, Dr. Lomax served as the 5th president of Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. During his tenure at Dillard, the student enrollment increased by nearly 50 percent, accompanied by dramatic increases in private funding and alumni giving. Dr. Lomax also led a $60 million campus program that improved the educational and everyday environments for students and faculty.
Since 2004, Dr. Lomax has served as UNCF president and CEO. Under his leadership, UNCF has raised more than $4 billion and helped more than 150,000 students earn college degrees and launch careers. Annually, UNCF’s work enables 50,000 students to go to college with UNCF scholarships and attend its 37 member historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). At UNCF’s helm, Dr. Lomax oversees the organization’s 400-plus scholarship programs, which award more than 10,000 scholarships a year. He also launched UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building, which supports member HBCUs to become stronger, more effective and self-sustaining. Under Dr. Lomax’s leadership, UNCF has engineered partnerships with reform-focused leaders and organizations and worked to further advance HBCUs with Congress, the administration, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Among his many honors, Dr. Lomax was appointed to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities by President George W. Bush. He serves on the boards of Handshake, the KIPP Foundation, Cengage Group and Teach for America. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Senate and a trustee of the Studio Museum in Harlem. He was a founding member of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and previously served on the board of America’s Promise Alliance.
Nathaniel R. Goldston III Trailblazer Award
RASHAD RICHEY
Dr. Rashad Richey is an Emmy-nominated national broadcaster, university professor, and author, recognized for his contributions across various fields. He serves as the President of Rolling Out, the largest free-print urban publication in America, reaching 2.8 million readers monthly. Many know Dr. Richey as the daily television opinion news anchor for ‘Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey,’ a nationally syndicated TV show ranked as the “fastestgrowing TV news show in America,” drawing over 3 million viewers daily. He also hosts the award-winning ‘Dr. Rashad Richey Review’ on SiriusXM Urban View Channel 126, where he was named ‘Best Talk Radio Personality’ by readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, marking a historic achievement as the first Black broadcaster to receive this honor.
In academia, Dr. Richey is a Professor of Physics at Paris Graduate School and a Professor of Business at Morris Brown College, an HBCU. He has provided lectures at the University of Michigan and Morehouse School of Medicine to name a few. Dr. Richey holds multiple advanced degrees, including completed doctoral studies at Clark Atlanta University, and earned Master of Science in both Agronomical Physics and Neuroscience He is currently enrolled in graduate studies at Dartmouth College, one of America’s 8 Ivy League universities, and in the final stages of completing his PhD in Quantum Physics. In 2023, Dr. Richey completed his law degree, and is the Managing Partner for the Law Office of Richey & Wilson.
He is founder of The Rashad Richey Foundation, mentoring gang-affected youth and has received numerous accolades for his social effectiveness and scientific research, including the 2023 “Distinguished Alumni Award” from Clark Atlanta University and a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama.
PAST HONOREES
2023
Andrew Young Lifetime Achievement Award
• Jermaine Dupri, CEO, SoSo Def Recordings
Maynard H. Jackson Community Impact Award
• Jay Bailey, President & CEO, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)
Nathaniel R. Goldston, III Trailblazer Award
• Kevin James, Ed.D., President, Morris Brown College
John Lewis Emerging Leader Award
• Aundell “AJ” Terrell, Jr., NFL Cornerback, Atlanta Falcons
Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Civic Leadership Award
• Joshua Byrd, Sr. & Richard Byrd, Anti-Gun Violence Leadership
Chairman’s Circle Corporate Responsibility Award
• Delta Air Lines
2018
Nathaniel R. Goldston, III Trailblazer Award
2019
Lifetime Achievement Award
• President Jimmy Carter, The 39th President of the United States and Founder, The Carter Center
Maynard H. Jackson Community Impact Award
• The H.J. Russell Family
Nathaniel R. Goldston, III Trailblazer Award
• Dominique Wilkens, Analyst, SportSouth Vice President of Basketball, Atlanta Hawks
John Lewis Emerging Leader Award
• Ryan Wilson & TK Peterson, The Gathering Spot
Next Generation Emerging Leader Award
• Lauren Simmons, NYSE Equity Trader, Author & Executive Producer Chairman’s Circle Corporate Responsibility Award
• Georgia Power Company
• Gregory and Juanita Baranco, President & CEO and Executive Vice President & COO, The Baran Company, LLC
MAYNARD H. JACKSON COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
• The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
JOHN LEWIS EMERGING LEADER AWARD
• Bakari Sellers, Attorney at Law, Strom Law Firm, LLC
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARD
• The Chick-fil-A Foundation
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
1. Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Former Ambassador to United Nations and Chairman, Andrew J. Young Foundation
2. Reverend Dr. C.T. Vivian, Civil Rights Leader, Minister, Author, and Founder, C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute
3. The Honorable John Lewis, United States House of Representatives, Georgia 5th Congressional District
COMMUNITY TRAILBLAZER AWARDS
1. Reverend Howard Beckham, Chief Executive Officer, Integrity Transformations Community Development Corporation
2. Leonard Adams, MBA, President and CEO, QUEST Community Development Organization
3. Bruce Deel, Founder and President, City of Refuge, Inc.
4. “Mother” Mamie Lee Moore, Coordinator for The Beloved Community, Inc.
Proud to support the 100 Honors Gala “Empowering Our Youth”.
KIPP Atlanta Schools is a network of ten tuition-free, public charter schools and one partner school located in the cities of Atlanta and East Point. At KIPP, we believe every child should grow up free to create the future they t f th l d th i iti
100 HONORS GALA
STRENGTHENING OUR CONNECTIONS.
We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow by helping others.
Southern Company is deeply rooted in the communities we’re privileged to serve and committed to building a brighter tomorrow for all.
We’re proud to support the 100 Honors Gala and its passion for making a difference in the Atlanta community and beyond.
southerncompany.com/boldlyforward
We proudly salute this year’s honorees for their demonstrated excellence, notable accomplishments, and passion for making a difference in the Atlanta community.
HOMRICH BERG IS PROU
At Grady Health System, diversity is our greatest strength. From our workforce to the patients we serve, these heroes deserve our very best. Diverse suppliers are agile. They offer greater flexibility, better customer focus, and lower cost structures. Securing the highest quality products and services that provide the best value to our staff and patients is what’s best for our bottom line and the community we serve. That includes a strong commitment to diverse suppliers who help us deliver on that promise.
GEORGIA-PACIFIC IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
ArbitraryN is thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Shofaetiyah Watson on his well-deserved induction into the 2024 class of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc We celebrate this milestone with him and look forward to the continued positive impact he will make
www.arbitraryn.com
100 HONORS GALA PLANNING COMMITTEE
Marlon D. Cousin, Chair
W. Imara Canady, Co-Chair
Robert H. Bolton, Gala Consultant
Sidney D. Barron
C.J. Best
Greg Davis
Gloria Ellison
Chris Gilmore
Desmond Hollingsworth
Miguel Lloyd
William Murphy
Louis E. Negron, Sr.
Evan Reynolds
Mitch Robinson
Jae Scarborough
Aaron N. Swain
Otis Threatt
Christen Wright
