Atlanta Civil Rights and Community Activists Honored with U. S. Presidential Honors

The Atlanta Inquirer and Publisher and CEO John B. Smith, Jr. was honored in Atlanta, Georgia along with other Civil Rights and community activists. Among those honored were Reverend Dr. Lawrence E. Carter, Sr.; Dr. Anne W. Watts; Hon. Carolyn Long-Banks; Hon. Michael J. Bond; Hon. Shirley C. Franklin; Judge Brenda Hill Cole; Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr; Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis; Dr. David Satcher; Dr. Georgianne Thomas; Dr. Gwendolyn Middlebrooks; Dr. Herschelle S. Challenor; Dr. Johnny Parham; Dr. Mary Ann Smith Wilson; Dr. Roslyn Pope**; Mrs. Henrietta Antoinin; Mrs. Billye Aaron; Mrs. Xernona Clayton Brady; Ms. Miranda Mack McKenzie; Reverend Dr. Clayton Eugene Taylor, Sr.; and many more. The event was held at the Reverend Dr. martin luther King Jr. Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, August 26, 2022.

Two of the highlights of these events are recognizing students from different geographical locations who have made major contributions to their communities. We are paying tribute and recognizing the “Atlanta Student Movement and Civil Rights Leaders who shaped our history.” Some of the notables are Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., The Reverend Dr. Lawrence E. Carter, Sr., Dr. Anne Wimbush Watts, Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris and many more. This award and other presidential medals (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) will be presented to some of the most noteworthy honorees in this nation, stated Dr. Beverly Kee.

Dr. Beverly Kee, of Premiere Coalition Partners Association, LLC, presented the awards on behalf of the Points of Light, AmeriCorps, Joseph R. Biden Jr., the 46th President of the United States, and Vice President Kamala Harris to those who made community service their mantra. The historical value of this event has many significant layers.

Established by executive order by former U. S. President George W. Bush, the prestigious honor has been awarded to a select few Americans to recognize more than 4,000 hours of extraordinary community service per year.

Shirley C Franklin, Photo by Lashley John

Rev Dr Otis Moss, Xernona Clayton Brady, John B Smith Jr, Photo by Lashley John

Rev Dr Otis Moss, Rev Dr Benjamin Chavis, John B Smith Jr, Photo by Lashley John

Rev Dr Lawrence E Carter Sr, Photo by Lashley John

Rev Alvelyn Sanders-Swafford, John B Smith Jr (Atlanta Inquirer), Althea Brown, Photo by Lashley John

Henrietta Antoinin and Billye Suber Aaron, Photo by John B Smith Jr

Carolyn Long Banks, John B Smith Jr, Photo by Lashley John

2022 Presidential Award Honorees in Atlanta, Georgia on August 26, 2022
Reverend Dr. Lawrence E. Carter, Sr.
Dr. Anne W. Watts
Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris
Hon. Carolyn Long-Banks
Hon. Michael J. Bond
Hon. Shirley C. Franklin
John Wyndal Gordon, Esq.
Judge Brenda Hill Cole
Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis
Dr. David Satcher
Dr. Frank Smith**
Dr. Georgianne Thomas
Dr. Gwendolyn Middlebrooks
Dr. Herschelle S. Challenor
Dr. Johnny Parham
Dr. Mary Ann Smith Wilson
Dr. Norma June W. Davis
Dr. Roslyn Pope**
Ms. Claudette Colvin**
Ms. Melba Moore
Ms. Thomasina Yearwood
Dr. Alice Harrison Howard
Mrs. Henrietta Antoinin
Mrs. Billye Aaron
Mrs. Virginia W. Harris
Mrs. Xernona Clayton
Dr. Catherine Meeks
Dr. Terry Morris
Dr. Reisa Wade Jones
Dr. Renee “Sunshine” Lewis
Ms. Beverly Wright
Ms. Laura Emiko Soltis
Ms. Miranda Mack McKenzie
Reverend Dr. Clayton Eugene Taylor, Sr.
Dr. Henry D. Muhammad-Hamilton
Dr. Jeffrey R. Sanders (NBA)
Lional Dalton (NFL)
Dr. Frank D. Murphy (NFL)
Dr. Jason Gilliam-Alexander
Dr. Kenneth L. Gray (ESPN)
Mr. Claude Harriott (NFL)
Mr. Clifton B. Alston, III
Pastor Scott Claunch, Sr.
Archbishop John Lewis, III
Mr. Christian Aycock
Mr. Jonathan G. Steward

2022 Presidential Award Honorees in Durham, North Carolina on July 30, 2022
Mayor Elaine O’Neal
Dr. Bobbie Richardson
Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye
Mr. Abner Mason
Mr. Chip Shearin
Mr. Ronnie Garrett
Mr. Willie A. Gray
Mrs. Denise Hester
Mrs. Minnie Forte-Brown
Ms. Ava Alston Brownlee
Ms. Aniya D. Jones
Ms. Sylvia Wiggins
Pastor John P. Kee

2022 Presidential Award Honorees in Washington, DC on September 10, 2022
Dr. Angie M. Gates
Dr. Rita D. Lewis
Dr. Mychelle Farmer
Reverend Dr. Orlando J. Bego
Mrs. Denyce Graves Montgomery (Kennedy Center)
Ms. Carl Eaddy
Ms. Marisol Johnson
Mr. Herb Scott
Mr. Leon Nelson
Mr. Philesciono Canty, Sr.
Mr. A. J. Ali

2022 Presidential Award Honorees - Media / Story-Tellers
Reverend Alvelyn Sanders-Swafford
Ms. Althea Brown
The Atlanta Inquirer
Mr. Al Reynolds

2022 Presidential Award Honorees - Organization Honors
The Laya Center
The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc.
United for Life Family Ministries

2022 Presidential Award Honorees - Posthumous Honors
Dr. Grady D. Davis
Hon. Floyd B. McKissick, Sr.
Hon. Julian H. Bond
Mr. Clarke Egerton, Jr.
Mr. John H. Lewis, Sr.
Mr. Morris J. Dillard, Sr.
Ms. Laura Nell Brown
Ms. Ruby Doris Smith Robinson
Reverend Dr. Hosea L. Williams