This year the Atlanta Hawks are proud to honor the life and legacy of a global icon and our city's most favored son, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In an unprecedented partnership, with the King Estate, NBA, NBPA and Nike, we present the 20 – 21 MLK Nike City Edition uniform. Now more than
ever since his untimely passing, the eyes and ears of the world are focused on the evolution of social justice, poised to elevate Dr. King's
vision from an aspiration to a universal reality of equality and dignity for all races.
The tenets of Dr. King's social activism are the roots from which the Atlanta Hawks community work grows - crucial issues such as, Diversity,
Inclusion, Voting Rights, and Economic Empowerment. We are building bridges through basketball to better the world around us. We vow to work, to
fight, to take action…to earn these letters every day!
This year the Atlanta Hawks are proud to honor the life and legacy of a global icon and our city's most favored son, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In an unprecedented partnership, with the King Estate, NBA, NBPA and Nike, we present the 20 – 21 MLK Nike City Edition uniform. Now more than
ever since his untimely passing, the eyes and ears of the world are focused on the evolution of social justice, poised to elevate Dr. King's
vision from an aspiration to a universal reality of equality and dignity for all races.
The tenets of Dr. King's social activism are the roots from which the Atlanta Hawks community work grows - crucial issues such as, Diversity,
Inclusion, Voting Rights, and Economic Empowerment. We are building bridges through basketball to better the world around us. We vow to work, to
fight, to take action…to earn these letters every day!
Don't Miss It
See the MLK Nike City Edition jerseys and court at the following Unity Games
The Black, Gold and White colorway speaks to Dr. King's determination, as well as his understated style. It is also a nod to his membership in
the first Black Greek fraternity.
Infinity Black
The principal hue of the Atlanta Hawks MLK Nike City Edition uniform denotes our bold, relentless, and unapologetic approach to competition
and community.
Vintage Gold
Subtle and sedate golden tone reflects an air of elegance, highlighting the reverence befitting the memory of a global icon.
Fidelity
White
This crisp, classic white symbolizes dedication and loyalty to the great city of Atlanta that we serve with excellence and compassion.
Dr. King's signature graces the jersey's authenticity tag.
A Heart for Justice
The Sharecare patch is always close to our hearts on the left side of every Hawks uniform. The Atlanta Hawks and Sharecare are united by
a shared passion and pride for our world-changing leaders like Dr. King, whose life's works paved the way for happier, healthier, and
more equitable futures for all.
The Nike Swoosh
Letter Perfect
Vintage Gold MLK letters in a custom font, outlined in Fidelity White, blaze across the uniform chest. The initials of an eternal role
model whose words of equality are the foundation of today's powerful activism.
Dr. King's signature graces the jersey's authenticity tag.
A Heart for Justice
The Sharecare patch is always close to our hearts on the left side of every Hawks uniform. The Atlanta Hawks and Sharecare are united by
a shared passion and pride for our world-changing leaders like Dr. King, whose life's works paved the way for happier, healthier, and
more equitable futures for all.
The Nike Swoosh
Letter Perfect
Vintage Gold MLK letters in a custom font, outlined in Fidelity White, blaze across the uniform chest. The initials of an eternal role
model whose words of equality are the foundation of today's powerful activism.
The uniform is bordered in White and Gold striping that leads to a tapered peak at the side of the shorts mirroring the silhouette of
the stained glass window at King's iconic home church. Crown and shield symbol on the leg of the shorts is inspired by both those same
church windows and Dr. King's personal effects including a beautiful collection of tie clips.
The Primary Icon
The primary icon at the waistband is encircled in black symbolizing the continuous quest of the Black community to achieve freedom and
justice. This heat applied graphic is made of a soft touch rubber.
Freedom Stars
The stars donning both sides of the shorts represent the 22 of the 29 times Dr. King was jailed fighting for justice and equality. They
also honor the dedicated student freedom fighters who engaged in sit-ins all over the South. Of them he said, "Only when it is dark
enough can you see the stars."
The uniform is bordered in White and Gold striping that leads to a tapered peak at the side of the shorts mirroring the silhouette of
the stained glass window at King's iconic home church. Crown and shield symbol on the leg of the shorts is inspired by both those same
church windows and Dr. King's personal effects including a beautiful collection of tie clips.
The Primary Icon
The primary Evo icon at the waistband is encircled in black symbolizing the continuous quest of the Black community to achieve freedom
and justice. This heat applied graphic is made of a soft touch rubber.
Freedom Stars
The stars donning both sides of the shorts represent the 22 of the 29 times Dr. King was jailed fighting for justice and equality. They
also honor the dedicated student freedom fighters who engaged in sit-ins all over the South. Of them he said, "Only when it is dark
enough can you see the stars."
The 2020–21 Atlanta Hawks MLK Nike City Edition uniform pays homage to the world's greatest "Drum Major for Justice" through personal elements
woven into the design details.
The coordinating hardwood floor for the Hawks 20-21 MLK Nike City Edition uniform is uniquely designed with a 5-color stained glass motif at
center court and inspired by the fight for freedom that continues today.
Dr. King changed the world through his commitment to racial equality, voting rights and economic justice. As the Atlanta Hawks continue to honor
his legacy, we are now looking for those in our community that are also committed to social impact and making a difference in their own way.
Through the True to the Dream Honors: presented by Sharecare, we will recognize incredible individuals throughout the state of Georgia who work
tirelessly to positively impact their communities and find solutions for the issues facing them. Whether conducting voter registration drives,
taking a stand for social justice, mentoring youth, or volunteering their services and time to help those in need; these awards will honor those
who are building a better world by continuing Dr. King's legacy in a variety of ways that create lasting impacts.
Sophia Woodrow is a Community Manager at Future Coalition, a national network that fosters community and collaboration among youth leaders
and youth-led organizations across the country. Previously, Sophia served as a Future Coalition Future Fellow and worked to develop creative
strategies aimed to increase youth voter engagement right here in the State of Georgia.
Erica Wright is Founder and CEO of U First Incorporated., a non-profit with the mission to provide people in need with the basics of health,
hygiene, and love. Founded in 2014, U First has distributed more than 500,000 hygiene “Love Bags” in over 24 states to those experiencing
homelessness. These bags include items like soap, toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and more. U First recently expanded to
create U First Kidz, where hygiene items are donated to Care Closets for students in the Atlanta Public School System.
Joey Mitchell is a Co-Founder of The Bridge. The Bridge is an online community founded in 2018 with a mission to heal the cultural divide of
people with different backgrounds through open dialogue. Mitchell founded this organization alongside another True to the Dream Honoree,
Greg Sudmeier.
Greg Sudmeier is a Co-Founder of The Bridge. The Bridge is an online community founded in 2018 with a mission to heal the cultural divide of
people with different backgrounds through open dialogue. Sudmeier founded this organization alongside another True to the Dream Honoree,
Joey Mitchell.
Nick Hess is an Application Architect for Sharecare. Nick has volunteered with MAD HOUSERS for more than 30 years, helping to build over 100
homes for the homeless in metro Atlanta. He is also Chair of his Neighborhood Planning Committee where he connects residents to local
organizations and city departments, while advocating for better services and safe streets.
Blake Johnson is the Sr. Coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks Community Basketball Department. In 2017, Blake created a mentoring program
through College for Every Student Brilliant Pathways to help middle school students prepare for their futures. She also serves as a
volunteer paralegal with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, and, during this past election cycle, she worked countless hours as a
Poll Manager here at State Farm Arena. Blake is currently training for an Ironman with a goal to raise $26,000 to benefit the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society.
Feroza Syed is a trans activist and advocate. Syed was appointed to the first LGBTQ Advisory Board for the City of Atlanta by Mayor Keisha
Lance Bottoms. She works with groups locally to help with intersectionality, specifically with cultural and religious background issues
targeting the Asian LGBTQ community. In addition, she helps create safe spaces for all and brings attention to the struggles of LGBTQ Youth
and people of color.
Jack Griffin is Founder of
Food Finder, a food pantry locator and
nonprofit that shows you when and where to get free food assistance in your area. Griffin launched Food Finder when he was just 15 and now
at 22 is leading the organization as his full-time job post-graduation from college. The organization initially launched as a digital
resource just for Gwinnett, but now serves people across America. Since its launch, the organization has connected 78,000 Georgians to
emergency food relief and served more than 500,000 people nationwide.
Nury Castillo-Crawford is the Director of Academic Support for Gwinnett County Public Schools where she launched the school district's first
Hispanic Mentoring Priority Program. She connects students with mentors to help them reach their full potential. She is also President of
the Georgia Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, where she advocates and leads in securing professional development for
educators who work with and teach Latino students.
Dominic Stokes is the Founder of Community Teen Coalition, a youth enrichment program designed to generate the skills and motivation
necessary for success in post-secondary and entrepreneurship education for youth ages 8-18. The program tackles important issues such as
childhood illiteracy, peer pressure, low self-esteem, homelessness, gangs, and drug prevention with the intent to help participants develop
healthy self-images and life skills.
Mary Hooks, political worker at
Movement for Black Lives
(M4BL), representing the interests of black communities in the US. and member of
Southerners On New Ground
(SONG), a social justice, advocacy, and capacity building organization that serves and supports LGTBQ people in the South. For 10+ years,
Mary has been combatting racism by consistently taking on fights that impact the lives of Black and brown queer and trans people.
Founder & CEO of the
Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League (AEBL)
and Sports, Music & Entertainment Summit (SMES), Jahi "Jah" Rawlings is passionate about providing free live sports and entertainment to
Atlanta's local communities. Rawlings gives back to his community through basketball along with providing mentoring and support those in
need.
A first-generation college graduate in his family, Wesley is passionate about helping young students realize their potential in and out of
the classroom. As Director of the Future Men of Distinction program, Wesley mentors young men focusing on topics like grades, how to be a
gentlemen, critical thinking skills, and public speaking.
Sophia Woodrow is a Community Manager at Future Coalition, a national network that fosters community and collaboration among youth leaders
and youth-led organizations across the country. Previously, she served as a Future Fellow at the organization, working to develop creative
strategies to increase youth voter engagement in her home state of Georgia. She grew up in the northern suburbs of Atlanta and graduated
high school with an International Baccalaureate diploma. While in high school, Sophia led a campaign to combat food insecurity in her local
community, specifically at her local middle school. She also served as the President of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project, an
Atlanta-based non-profit organization with the goal of promoting educational equity.
Through her Anchor Club’s food insecurity initiative, they packed food for 25 families every month. On the Harvard Debate Council Diversity
Project, Sophia led a community workshop of 100 young people in Atlanta, educating them in rhetoric, communication, and public speaking.
During the 2020 election, she trained volunteers on how to get involved in the electoral process and did voter education programming with
college students. During the runoff, she helped form an intergenerational coalition of 20 organizations across the state to collaborate
ahead of the races. She is currently a freshman at Stanford University studying Political Science and Economics.
Erica Wright, Founder and CEO of U First Incorporated, believes in the inherent worth of every human. Her sense of faith propelled her to
humanitarian work along with a desire for equity that started early in childhood. Erica, an Atlanta native, attended Atlanta Public Schools
and later majored in Marketing Management Entrepreneurship while attending Gwinnett Tech. Erica, who is an ordained Deacon, acknowledges
that her faith is critical to her life’s mission. Erica founded U First, Inc. in August 2014. U First Inc.’s mission is to provide people in
need with the basics of health, hygiene, and love. Erica currently serves at the Chief Executive Officer of U First, Inc. She spends most of
her time with the community experiencing homelessness providing much needed hygiene kits, meals, and hydration. Erica often travels the
America to raise awareness about homelessness and to assist those experiencing homelessness during her journey.
Erica's recognitions include the Guardian Angel Award, the Trinity Award, LGBTQ Leadership Award, and recognition from the City of Atlanta
Mayor’s Office, City of Atlanta School Board, Disabled American Veteran, DAV Auxiliary and the White House. She serves on the Gateway Center
Board of Directors, Atlanta Mayor's LGBTQ Advisory Board and sits on the subcommittee for Economic and Community Development. Erica serves
as an OUT Georgia Business Ambassador. When Erica is not working, you can find her traveling and spending time with her beloved family.
Joey Mitchell is a husband, father, entrepreneur and advocate who was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He graduated from West Philadelphia High School with honors and went on to attend Lincoln Technical College on a full scholarship. He
graduated at the top of his class and earned an Associates Degree in Automotive and Diesel Technology. He obtained a position as a Master
Automotive Technician with Chrysler and was a valued employee for 10 years.
Joey always had an astute mind for business and great leadership skills, so it was no surprise when he left Chrysler to start his own
business, a Gas and Automotive Service Station in 1993 in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. He opened a 2nd location in 1998 and both
were successful for many years.
Wanting a change of scenery, Joey moved his family to Georgia in 2006. Enjoying his semi-retirement, it is then that he found the time to
author a book, Saving The Forest, which is a testament to his passion for mentoring and guiding young men.
In 2017, he co-founded ASK DAD, INC. in the South Fulton County area with some friends and colleagues with the mission to help develop young
boys into positive and productive adults.
Still wanting to do more to enrich the lives of others, Joey started the group The Bridge in 2018 alongside True to the Dream Honoree, Joey
Mitchell. It is a culturally diverse group of individuals who are committed to healing the cultural and racial divide one conversation at a
time. The group has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception and still evolving.
In his spare time, Joey enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking a ride on him Goldwing motorcycle or in his Corvette all around
the USA. He is the father to 3 sons and has been married to his wife Cheryl for 30 plus years.
Oakland, California native, Greg Sudmeier is deeply honored to be able to promote racial equity and healing through his work with The
Bridge. Sudmeier and Co-Founder Joey Mitchell founded this online community in 2018 with a mission to heal the cultural divide one
conversation at a time. Through this group Sudmeier and Mitchell facilitate conversations between people with different backgrounds to bring
them together. He has managed to nurture an extremely meaningful organization that is making a real difference in people’s lives locally and
nationally.
Greg Sudmeier is an Owner-Producer for Atlanta Audible, a music production house for film, TV and media. “Suds” co-founded, contracted, and
conducted the “Skywalker Symphony” at Lucasfilm for many projects such as the Grammy nominated “StarWars Trilogy” album with composer John
Williams as well as albums for renowned composers and artists like Lawrence Rosenthal, Alan Silvestri, Aaron Neville, Linda Ronstadt and
Randy Newman.
Nick Hess is a native of Atlanta. He was born at Georgia Baptist, raised in Morningside and graduated from Georgia. Tech. Hess originally
started volunteering with the MAD HOUSERS in 1991 and just never stopped. He started off as a hammer-swinger and eventually became
president. Once becoming Chair of the Neighborhood Planning Unit he stepped down as President of MAD HOUSERS but still remains heavily
involved and attends almost every build.
Hess moved to southwest Atlanta in 2000 and joined the Neighborhood Planning Unit around 2010. Initially he was served as technical support
and was secretary for a period of time before becoming Chair in 2017. NPUs are important because they’re the way the city talks to its
citizens on a day-to-day level. Nick says that "having worked for so long with people who are powerless, I feel like it’s important to
remove barriers to public participation."
With MAD HOUSERS, Nick says he has easily built over a hundred shelters over the years. Plus, many shelters wind up being used by multiple
people. The shelters are sturdy and last for years, giving homeless individuals protection and stability in a chaotic environment.
The NPU covers an area of about four square miles and over 10,000 people. My contribution there is more diffuse – I help residents get
connected to their local organizations and various city departments, I make sure folks are aware of changes being proposed for their
neighborhoods, and I advocate for better services and safe streets. It’s not as immediately rewarding as building a shelter, but it’s just
as important to prevent problems as to fix them!
With both MAD HOUSERS and the Neighborhood Planning Unit, it’s not about Nick creating a vision for himself, but making it possible for
others to get where they need to go. When he talks about his service to the community he says, "It’s not about being heroic. Mostly it’s
about showing up and making whatever situation you’re in better."
Blake Johnson is the Sr. Coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks Community Basketball Programs department. She works to create equal access to
play for youth and adults across the state of Georgia. In her role, Blake works closely with BlazeSports America Wheelchair Basketball Team,
Special Olympics Georgia, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Girls Inc., Laureus Sport for Good and countless other community organizations to break
down barriers of access to play.
It is not what Blake does through her role at the Hawks that makes her impressive. It is what she does in her time outside of work that
makes Blake the Atlanta Hawks’ Employee True to the Dream Honoree. Blake is committed to youth development, proper legal representation,
fair elections and fighting blood cancers, to name a few.
Her passion is helping provide equal access to opportunities and resources for people of all backgrounds. Volunteering for various community
organizations is important to her as it has allowed her to learn from people outside of her day-to-day and brings new perspective into her
life. She is a more open-minded, gracious, and caring person because of the people she has been able to work with and help when she
volunteers. She believes there is always more to give and more to do for our neighbors and those in other communities.
In previous years, Blake has helped lead domestic violence workshops for college student-athletes, volunteered in the kitchen at City of
Refuge, ran 5ks to raise money for various Georgia-based non-profits and phone banked through Vote Save America.
More recently, Blake has turned her attention on four causes, youth empowerment and development, accessible legal representation, fair
elections and fighting blood cancers.
In 2017, Blake created a mentoring program through College for Every Student Brilliant Pathways to help middle school student become college
and career ready. The mentoring program is in two different middle schools and works with more than 60 youth each year.
Blake began volunteering as a paralegal through the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation in memory of her late stepsister who previously
worked there. At AVLF, Blake helps with landlord-tenant dispute cases and wage dispute cases. She also assists with various other research
projects such as ones on Fulton County eviction cases.
In this past election cycle, Blake worked as a Poll Managers for the General Primary, the Presidential Election and the Senate Runoff. She
worked to ensure the 40,000+ volunteers that voted at State Farm Arena were provided with southern hospitality and an efficient and fair
process.
Currently, Blake is training for an Ironman while fundraising through Team in Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She is one of 12
national Rookie Challengers for Team in Training and has set her goal at $26,000. She in honor of those who have lost their lives to blood
cancers and family members, caregivers, nurses, doctors and researchers who are fighting to find cures. To donate text LLSBlake to 3-99-99.
Blake believes actions, big and small, can make a world of a difference. She lives with a mindset that our time is our most valuable
resource and by showing up for each other no matter our differences, we do our part in creating a better world.
Feroza Syed (She/Her) is a trans activist and advocate. Syed was appointed by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to the historic first LGBTQ
Advisory Board for the City of Atlanta. After coming out to a viral Facebook post as a trans woman living in anonymity, Feroza has quickly
jumped into activism head on. She has worked as a facilitator for PFLAG John’s Creek, and with numerous organizations in the Atlanta area
such as THC (Trans Housing Coalition), Asian Q & A (Queer and Adolescent), and DesiQ Diaspora to create a safe space for Asian and Pacific
Islander youth. She has spoken at multiple schools and colleges, been featured in magazines and articles, and hosted the Stonewall Pride
celebrations in Atlanta in June. In 2018, she was appointed AIDAtlanta Ambassador and in 2019, she was Grand Marshal for Atlanta’s 50th
Pride celebrations. She works with groups locally to help with intersectionality, specifically cultural and religious background issues
targeting the Asian LGBTQ community, in order to build a safe space for that community. She also spends her time bringing light to the
struggles of the trans and LGBTQ community, specifically for people of color and LGBTQ youth.
Feroza is an Associate Broker for Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. She is a Top Producer for them selling millions in real
estate annually. She has one furbaby named Teddy. Currently she resides in Northeast Atlanta, and has been in the Atlanta area for close to
30 years.
Wesley Williams was born in Louisville, GA to factory-worker parents who owned a few acres of farm land. Growing up he spent his summers
working in the family garden to save up for sneakers. He earned his way to college, being the first man in the family to do so. While
attending Valdosta State University he worked several part-time jobs while carrying a full class load to cover extra expenses. He saved
money to pledge his beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1995. After pledging he found the local chapter was very engaged in the community.
One day while attending a college day at the local middle school, he met a group of middle school students that felt they didn't have what
it takes to be college students. That was the day that changed his life. He was determined that no child should ever feel like they can't
attend college. Since that day Wesley has designed and created programs focused on helping kids develop the skills needed for college.
Wesley Williams has been the Director of the Future Men of Distinction (FMOD) program for the
RKL Education Foundation
for 5 years. His mentoring sessions average about a dozen young men and focus on topics like grades, how to be a gentlemen, critical
thinking skills, and public speaking. The overall goals of the program are to have each FMOD mentee graduate from high school and to become
a productive member and role model in society.
As a mentor, Mr. Williams has inspired FMOD mentees to improve their grades and be more positive citizens. Mr. Williams' program has a 100%
high school graduation rate, and 94% college entry rate for participants. FMOD has been recognized multiple times as a "Point of Light" by
the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. Through its partnership with Gwinnett Parks and Recreation, FMOD has assisted with community
events such as the Trick or Treat Trail and the Illuminated Easter Egg Hunt.
Jahi "Jah" Rawlings is the founder & CEO of the
Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League (AEBL)
and Sports, Music & Entertainment Summit (SMES). Jahi is also a Partner & VP of New Business in the newly formed Multicultural Marketing
agency Creative Revolution Union (CRUxMKTG). While working alongside multiple fortune 500 companies to elevate their brands through
strategic partnerships and cultural change, he has taken an active approach to understanding the agency's business objectives and leveraging
internal and external relationships to accomplish mutual goals.
Jah developed the Atlanta Basketball League nearly seven years ago. AEBL is one of the biggest live sports and entertainment properties in
Atlanta…They now service over 25,000+ people throughout the summer, 50,000+ throughout the entire year and reach over 1,000,000 nationally
and internationally digitally online.
AEBL has become a part of the fabric of the Atlanta community. The organization provides free live sports and entertainment to our local
communities throughout the summer. AEBL hosts an annual back to school event that provides over 500 backpacks filled with school supplies to
local Atlanta students and an annual Thanksgiving Dinner for local at-risk youth who reside in group homes. With over 35+ NBA players, 100+
International and several Division I student-athletes participating, Jahi has over 15 years of experience working across the sports, music &
cultural lifestyle programs with major companies.
Along with his passion for sports and music, Jah utilizes much of his time developing marketing strategies and brand partnerships with
clients such as Nike, Mountain Dew, NBA, Boost Mobile, Red Bull, Puma Basketball, Jack Daniels, Monster Energy, Kroger and Heineken.
- In 2019, Jahi was selected as one of the Atlanta Influencer's of the Year for his impact on inner city sustainability programs and sports
education programs.
- In 2018 Jahi was awarded the Black Enterprise - Mr. Sports & Entertainment for his impact and marketing prowess in the sports and
entertainment industry.
Jahi was born in Hempstead, NY but currently resides in a local suburb North of Metro Atlanta. He attended Lander University on a basketball
scholarship and graduated with a BA in Sociology, with a minor in Urban Revitalization. Jahi consistently strives to better himself in all
areas of life with a strong emphasis on learning and growing. He spends his free time as volunteer director & coach for multiple youth
sports, mentoring, traveling and attending live sports and entertainment events.
Mary Hooks is a 39 year old, Black, lesbian, feminist, abolitionist, pan-Africanist, mother, a member of
Southerners On New Ground
and part of the leadership of the
Movement 4 Black Lives. Mary's commitment to Black liberation, which
encompasses the liberation of LGBTQ folks, is rooted in her experiences growing up under the impacts of the War on Drugs. Her people are
migrants of the Great Migration, factory workers, church folks, Black women, hustlers and addicts, dykes, studs, femmes, queens and all
people fighting for the liberation of oppressed people. Her activism has consisted of building the infrastructure to mobilize thousands of
Black people with Movement for Black Lives and being a part of the "Black Mamas Bail Out" project, an initiative to bail out hundreds of
people in Fulton County and close to a thousand nationally to highlight injustice of the bail system. She has also trained thousands of
organizers across the south and nationally on community organizing, direct action, political education, abolition, and more.
Mary Hooks believes that in order to reach a world that is free from fear and the safety and dignity of all people can be honored, Black
people, oppressed people, and all those who are impacted by white supremacy must vision a new world, build our collective power, both
locally and globally and take action. She has been passionate about transformative organizing work that changes hearts and minds and has
been at the forefront of combatting racism, by taking on fights that impact the lives of Black and brown queer and trans people in the
South, such as the work to abolish money bail, defunding police, re-imagining public safety and developing new organizers. When she is not
ripping the eyebrows off of white supremacy and injustice, you can find Hooks plotting, scheming, and dreaming, but most of all loving on
her people.
"The mandate; to avenge the suffering of our ancestors, to earn the respect of future generations, and to be transformed in the service of
the work. Let's get free y'all" - Mary Hooks
The definition of a leader is: "a person who guides or inspires others." With his selfless enthusiasm for youth, Dominic Stokes is the
embodiment of a leader. After years of working as a corporate manager, Stokes began his full-time work with youth.
In 2007, Stokes founded Community Teen Coalition, Inc. (CTC) a youth social entrepreneurship and preparatory program designed to generate
the skills and motivation teens need for future success in post-secondary and entrepreneurship education. Upon watching the news, he became
bothered by the constant reporting of teen crime, arrests and deaths mostly within the African-American community. Going along with that
news, came the discovery of a sharp decline among youth in matriculation through college, as well as a lack of motivation, goal-setting and
optimism of their future.
Part of the goal of CTC is to prepare and encourage youth to "don't wait for the opportunity", create the opportunity". The organization
assists teens with the ability to develop social enterprises and foster a next generation of entrepreneurs – both job creators and
entrepreneurial employees.
Through his work with CTC, Stokes was led to use the power of visual storytelling to produce "Atlanta's Young and Homeless" and "If Streets
Could Talk " a documentary focusing on the mindset of Atlanta's youth and their interest and involvement in gangs. Stokes' overall goal is
to equip and empower youth with the necessary tools to be the change they want to see in the world.
Most recently, Dominic has been committed to evaluating the needs of communities and then developing a plan of action to address and meet
those needs. Moreover, he is changing the world through his dedication to positively impact racial equality, voting rights, and economic
justice for social impact that is generating a lasting impact through volunteering his services and time to help those and need, mentoring
youth and holding voter registration drives.
Nury Castillo Crawford is currently a Director of Academic Support for Gwinnett County Public Schools, the President of the Georgia
Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, a published author, and the CEO/Founder of 1010 Publishing.
As a Director of Academic Support, Nury has launched the school district's first ever Hispanic Mentoring Priority Program. She helps connect
individual adult mentors with students to support in helping each of them see beyond their current situation and to achieve their full
potential.
Being the President of GALAS, Georgia Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, means she supports, advocates and leads in
securing professional development for educators who work with and teach Latino students. Her published literary works include a bilingual
children's books. The series tells the story of a little girl, her family and their journey as immigrants to the USA. She has also published
what she calls a parent empowerment book, available in both English and Spanish, "Plant the Seeds Well… Expect Wonders", this book shares
tips, strategies and short relevant stories to support parenting in the 21st century. Released this year, it sold over a thousand copies in
the first two weeks.
Nury considers herself a life-long learner and attributes much of her success, drive and passion to her parents, who like her, emigrated to
the USA with minimal knowledge of the culture and language. Nury knows firsthand the challenges and barriers that can at times impede
progress within her community and is dedicated to being a voice for those who many times are not heard. Nury believes literacy and education
are the key variables in moving the Latino emerging community forward.
In addition to her love for education and helping others see their full potential, Nury loves to travel and support aspiring authors publish
their literary works in a bilingual format via her company 1010 Publishing. Nury is a huge advocate of the importance of culture and
language.
Jack Griffin is the Founder of Food Finder, a food pantry locator and nonprofit that shows you when and where to get free food assistance in
your area. Griffin launched Food Finder in 2014 when he was just 15 and now at 22 is leading the organization as his full-time job
post-graduation from college. The organization initially launched as a digital resource just for Gwinnett, but now serves people across
America. Since its launch, the organization has connected 78,000 Georgians to emergency food relief and served more than 500,000 people
nationwide.
He identified how there are already more than 1,000 food pantries on the ground in Georgia helping hungry families, but very frequently food
pantries do not have the money to market their services. In short, Jack's biggest social impact goals are to make it as easy as it should be
for hungry Georgians to find food relief quickly and privately, to move the needle on hunger on a national scale, and to address the deeply
systemic root causes of hunger so we can prevent families from going hungry in the first place.
For more than a third of his young adult life, Jack has inspired those around him, found new ways to solve massive problems, and most
importantly devoted his entire being to serve those in need. In college, he studied the intersection of food justice and racial justice
through his minor in Community Action & Social Change and even received his university's Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award in 2018, all
while growing FoodFinder and connecting thousands of Georgians to free food aid every year.
Now 22-years-old, Jack is leading FoodFinder as his full-time job after college. In the time since he graduated, Jack's work and hunger
relief experience have risen to the extraordinary challenge of addressing COVID-related hunger. When it was needed most, Jack's service to
hungry families through FoodFinder has connected more than 45,000 Georgians across 150 different counties to free food providers since the
pandemic began. FoodFinder's platform has been an information resource serving Metro Atlanta residents since May of 2014, but during
COVID-19 as food insecurity skyrocketed, FoodFinder served more food insecure Georgians in 12 months than in the previous six years of his
work with FoodFinder combined.
Jack is on the doorstep of a decade of service to Georgia's hungry families before he turns 25. Dr. King's lifetime of service to others is
something that inspires Jack to push forward every single day. He has said on several occasions how Dr. King's challenge to all of us to
"confront the fierce urgency of now" helps keep him going day in and day out.
