Congratulations, 2022 Men of Influence!

Maynard Jackson first introduced me to the Atlanta Business League (ABL) in 2003, when he marched me into a room teeming with the city's leading Black professionals at the Atlanta Life Building. Per usual, he wowed the audience from the stage, but also heaped plenty of praise onto our shared mission of engaging youth via the American Voters League. He left us just a few short months later, but the experiences he gave me continue to pay dividends. Many of the people in that room have become seminal members of my village, both personally and professionally. And almost twenty years later, that experience came full-circle when as I was recognized as one of ABL’s 2022 Men of Influence.

By definition, Men of Influence "have reached senior-level positions within their profession, are leading entrepreneurs in their industry, have proven history-making feats, or have attained the ability to influence large public bodies politically and in government." It was an unexpected honor to share the stage with that distinguished cohort, including the Legacy Award winner, the Honorable C.T. Martin, and Legacy Hall of Fame inductee, Gregory Baranco. I congratulated the awardees and thanked the organization from the stage, but I wanted to do so again, here, for posterity (and also to proselytize).

Atlanta so often takes for granted its multitudinous treasures, and the Atlanta Business League is one that deserves a second look from all of us. Founded by Dr. Booker T. Washington in 1933 as an affiliate of the National Business League – it fosters the growth, creation and development of successful business enterprises owned, operated and managed by African-Americans in metro Atlanta. Special thanks to Leona Barr-Davenport for your steadfast leadership, to my team at Ohio River South for cheering me on, and to Adrienne White and Tiffany Callaway Ferrell for keeping me involved and accountable. If you're not already a member, "What are you waiting for?"