By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | May 2, 2025

Let Us Make Man (LUMM) hosted its annual Scholarship & Awards Gala on Thursday, May 1, 2025, to celebrate achievement, legacy, and promise. The black-tie affair honored nearly 50 promising young men and women with tuition and book scholarships while recognizing three seasoned community leaders and two emerging activists for their impactful work in social justice and community advancement.

Held at the Morrow Center in Morrow, Georgia, the Gala was the latest milestone in LUMM’s long-standing mission to uplift and equip Black youth with the tools to thrive.

This year, LUMM awarded 30 tuition scholarships and 28 book scholarships to students who plan to study fields ranging from mechanical engineering and business to law, nursing, and medicine. Each recipient embodies the vision, mission, and values that have guided LUMM since its inception in 2006.

Scholarship & Awards Gala photo gallery                 Scholarship & Awards Gala video link

A Legacy Rooted in Purpose

Let Us Make Man seeds were planted in the summer of 2006 when attorney Mawuli Mel Davis hosted a high school basketball team from Rota, Spain. That visit led to a powerful discussion event titled “Building Boyz to Men,” where local Black men spoke about manhood in America with the team. Inspired by the evening, activist and former Atlanta City Councilman Derrick Boazman proposed forming a broader effort to engage and mentor Black youth.

Later that fall, Boazman gathered nine men from diverse backgrounds—law, education, ministry, business, and culture—who all shared a deep sense of responsibility to save and support young Black men. From that gathering, LUMM was born.

The founding ten members of LUMM include:

• Derrick Boazman – Community Leader
• Mawuli Mel Davis – Attorney at Law
• Doug Evans – Forensic Scientist
• A. B. Jihad – Entrepreneur
• Kwame Lazarus – Cultural Griot
• Minister Ray Muhammad – Minister
• Pastor Derrick Rice – Pastor
• Keene Walker – Educator
• Dr. Mike Weaver – Educator
• Kweku Webb – Financial Planner

Their first major event, The Gathering to Reclaim Black Manhood, took place in February 2007 at Atlanta Technical College, attracting over 700 participants. Unlike traditional conferences, The Gathering provided structured, research-based training sessions for attendees to take back to their communities. Workshops focused on law, education, mentoring, and spiritual growth. The tradition of honoring community leaders also began that year, with notable figures like Rev. C.T. Vivian and Stedman Graham in attendance.

Over the years, LUMM events have expanded across Georgia, with gatherings at institutions such as Savannah State, Paine College, Fort Valley State, and Columbus State University—each year engaging hundreds of attendees in leadership, economics, family unity, and youth empowerment workshops.

Honoring a Lifelong Advocate

Among this year’s honorees was Lawren Wilson, a rising senior majoring in political science at Clark Atlanta University. She received the Vincent D. Fort Scholarship, named in memory of the late Georgia State Senator (1956–2024), a staunch advocate for civil rights, economic justice, and educational access.

Senator Fort served Georgia’s 39th District from 1996 to 2017 and was nationally recognized for authoring the Georgia Fair Lending Act in 2002—one of the strongest anti-predatory lending laws in the country. A longtime supporter of LUMM, Fort’s legacy continues through this scholarship, awarded to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to justice and community service.

Celebrating Vision, Justice, and Cultural Preservation

In addition to student scholarships, LUMM recognized several trailblazers whose work exemplifies leadership, justice, and community empowerment:

Business Visionary Leader Award: Cortez A. Carter

• Carter, Executive Vice President of Hyde Park Hospitality, has spent over 30 years shaping aviation, banking, and real estate industries. As a certified International Airport Professional and experienced pilot, Carter has led development efforts at major U.S. airports, championing minority business growth and infrastructure innovation.

Champion for Justice Award: The Hon. Debra E. Deberry

• Deberry, Clerk of the Superior Court of DeKalb County since 2011, has spent more than 25 years in public service. Managing a department of over 100 employees and a $7 million budget, she has been a force in judicial reform and community engagement. Deberry’s impact has been felt across the legal system, from jury oversight to juvenile advocacy.

C.T. Vivian Medal of Freedom: Dr. Georgianne Thomas

• A filmmaker, educator, and activist, Dr. Thomas is best known as the executive producer of Foot Soldiers: Class of 1964, an award-winning documentary chronicling Black women’s role in the civil rights movement. Her career has spanned acting, international diplomacy, and authorship, rooted in her passion for justice and storytelling.

Rising Stars: Young Warriors in Action

LUMM also honored two dynamic youth leaders with its Young Warrior Award:

Kannette King

• A passionate advocate for mental health, education equity, and youth development, King is quickly emerging as a leading voice in her generation. Her work inside and outside the classroom shapes future movements and mentors her peers to rise in leadership.

Daxton Pettus

• As a high school student in Decatur, Pettus led efforts to remove a Confederate monument and install a historical marker honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Now a student at Morehouse College; he continues to blend activism with academics to build a more just and equitable society.

A Movement That Endures

As Let Us Make Man prepares for its next chapter, the Gala served as a reminder and a call to action. From scholarships to awards, each honor represents the collective power of Black leadership, unity, and vision.

Eighteen years after its founding, LUMM continues to train, uplift, and inspire—affirming the belief that when we invest in young minds and honor our elders, we make not just men, but leaders.

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