Atlanta Business League Unveils Its 2011 Men of Influence, Inducts Local Legends into Hall of Fame (3482 hits)
Published: Monday, July 25, 2011
ATLANTA-The Atlanta Business League (ABL) honors 24 African American men who are leading influencers, proven history-makers and contributors to the greatness of the metro Atlanta community. The ABL unveiled its 2011 Men of Influence (MOI) inductees with a reception and induction ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Inductees are:
1. Neil Barclay, President & CEO, National Black Arts Festival
2. Cecil Bernard, Artist, Cecil Bernard Enterprises
3. Roger Bobb, President, Bobbcat Films
4. George Brown, Sr. Director of Food & Beverage , Hyatt Regency
Atlanta
5. John Bryant, CEO and Founder, Operation Hope
6. Rudolph H. Carn, Founder & CEO, National AIDS Education & Services
for Minorities
7. Mark Chastang, Chief Operating Officer, Grady Health System
8. Dwayne Crawford, Senior Vice President, 100 Black Men of America,
Inc.
9. Niles Harris, General Manager, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel
10. James "Mac" Hunter, Senior Partner, Morris Manning & Martin LLP
11. Tom Hutchinson, Founder/President/CEO, Confidential Security Agency,
Inc.
12. Larry Johnson, Presiding Officer, Board of Commissioners, DeKalb
County
13. John Kelley, Chairman, DeKalb Chamber
14. Alonzo Llorens, Chairman, Ron Clark Academy
15. Mitchell Martin, Owner/Partner, Martin, Harpes, Syphoe & Company
16. Curtis Martin II, President, Gate City Bar Association
17. Mark Massey, Clerk to the Commission, Fulton County Government
Center
18. Harold Mitchell, Sr. Chairman, Atlanta Technical College Foundation
19. Arthur Queen, President, National Association of Minority
Contractors
20. Lonnie Saboor, Chairman of the Board, Southwest Atlanta Youth
Business Organization
21. Hank Stewart, Founder & President, The Stewart Foundation
22. Leonard Walker, Atlanta Business Banking Division Manager, Wells
Fargo & Company
23. Aaron Watson, Atlanta City Council Chair, Zoning Committee, City of
Atlanta
24. Gregory Wilson, Georgia Area Manager, CH2M Hill
The ABL also announced its 2011 Men of Influence Legends: the Honorable Clarence Cooper, Senior Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and Reverend Jasper Williams, Pastor, Salem Bible Church in Atlanta. These two men were inducted into the Legends' Hall Fame-a distinguished group of pioneers who have paved the way for others to follow in their respective arenas.
This year's Legacy Award is given posthumously to Dr. Hamilton E Holmes, Orthopedic Physician. In 1961, Dr. Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault became the first black students to enter the University of Georgia where he earned academic honors and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also became the first African American student at Emory University Medical School, graduating with honors in 1967.
The MOI list of Honorees and Legends boasts black men in metro Atlanta who have reached senior level positions, are leading entrepreneurs, have proven history-making feats or have displayed significant political or government influence. In addition to professional accomplishments, these men have demonstrated a commitment to the citizenry of Metro Atlanta by maintaining significant involvement and participation in community and civic activities. The event also included door prizes, a silent auction, and the ABL 2011 Men of Influence Directory.
The Atlanta Business League, led by Leona Barr-Davenport, is one of the country's oldest business organizations established in 1933 as an affiliate of Booker T. Washington's National Business League. The organization fosters the growth, creation, and development of successful business enterprises owned, operated and managed by African-Americans in metropolitan Atlanta.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA BUSINESS LEAGUE The Atlanta Business League is a 501(c) 6 business organization. The ABL serves as an information clearinghouse and referral source for minority owned businesses. The Atlanta Business League has continuously served the area's minority business community since 1933. It is an original affiliate of the National Negro Business League founded by Booker T. Washington in 1900 Ms. Leona Barr- Davenport has been the organization's president for fourteen years.
