DECATUR, GA — On Tuesday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting his annual “Unsung Heroes Awards” program to honor everyday citizens and community leaders who go above and beyond to make their communities better places to live, work and play — and lead with integrity. Congressman Johnson will honor 27 people for improving the lives of residents in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District and moving DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton, and Gwinnett counties forward in 2021.
Tuskegee Airman Val Archer and Newton County civil rights pioneer Forrest Sawyer, Jr. will be honored posthumously. The program is free and open to the public. To view, register at the Zoom link below.
The program will be available via Zoom and rebroadcasted on Congressman Johnson’s Facebook page @RepHankJohnson; To register:https://ushr.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_PcS9L7qTTeSU9thgNl-9FQ | Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RepHankJohnson/
AWARD RECIPIENTS
DIAMONDS OF THE DISTRICT
- Mr. Kenneth Browner: CEO & founder of KES, Inc., which serves children and adults with intellectual disabilities;
- Mrs. Betty Maddox Battle: founder of G.R.I.E.V.E — Grieving Relatives in Every Violent Event, a coalition of mothers who have lost family members to gun and police violence;
- Ms. Kimya Motley: Director Of Communications of A Call to Men and CEO of Haven of Light International, a crisis intervention program;
- Ms. Jean Douglas: Executive director for the Women’s Resource Center To End Domestic Violence;
- Ms. Carolyn A. Watson: Founder of HOME, Inc. Helping Oppressed Mothers Endure;
- Ms. Kristy Fields Gaiters: Founder & President of JABY, Inc, Just About Blessing You;
CHAMPIONS OF THE FOURTH
- Ms. Keelyn Harper: Community advocate;
- Ms. Kendal Hubbard: Manager of support services at Emory Health Care;
- Ms. Pam Dickerson: Former state representative & community leader;
- Ms. Kendra Price: Internal and external communications manager for Emory’s Office of Government and Community Affairs;
- Mr. Joseph Scarpaci: Veterans advocate;
PILLARS OF POWER
- Dr. Gwen Cattledge: President of the Newton County Branch of the NAACP;
- Mr. John Evans: President and founder of civil rights organization Operation L.E.A.D.;
- Rev. James Walden: Staff chaplain with the Newton County Sheriff Department;
- Ms. Penny Poole: President of the Gwinnett County Branch of the NAACP;
BEACONS OF LIGHT
- Dr. Thomas Coleman: Chair of the 4th Congressional District of Georgia Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship Committee;
- Ms. Suzanne Lipe: Lithonia pharmacist;
- Dr. Bobbie Neal: Service Academy Committee member of the 4th Congressional District of Georgia;
- Mr. David Brice: Chair of the Service Academy Committee for the 4th Congressional District of Georgia;
- Ms. Judeena Thibault: Community organizer;
COMMUNITY CORNERSTONES
- Mr. Charles “Chuck” Logan: Community and civil rights advocate;
- Capt. Eric Jackson: Retired captain with the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department;
- Ms. Josie Dean: Community activist & founder of the Rockdale Think Tank;
- Mr. Bernard Hodore: Veterans advocate and governmental watch dog;
- Mr. Joe Arrington: Community leader & member of Pride Rings in Stone Mountain;
POSTHUMOUS AWARDS
Mr. Rudolph “Val” Archer: Tuskegee Airman;
Mr. Forrest Sawyer, Jr.: Civil rights pioneer Newton County;