Once a year, the Atlanta Business League pays homage and bestows illumination to African American men who are business owners, professionals, community and civic leaders in Atlanta.
The esteemed ABL president and CEO, Leona Barr-Davenport; and former ABL board chair, the ubiquitous business mogul Thomas “Tommy” Dortch, help to lead a cavalcade of past honorees made up of black metropolitan businessmen who have attained “senior level positions within their profession, are leading entrepreneurs in their industry, have proven history-making feats or have attained the ability to influence large public bodies politically and in government.”
Barr-Davenport says the “Men of Influence” honorees also have exemplified continual commitment to the community through their involvement and participation in community and civic activities.
The prestigious soiree climaxed with the awarding of the Legacy Award to James E. Young (posthumously), former NBA star Walter Bellamy, and education savant and president emeritus of the Southern Education Foundation Eldridge McMillan. The Legacy Awards are reserved for those black men whose illustrious careers transcend generations and “whose efforts, good deeds and impact will outlast the test of time and positively impact the community for generations to come.”
Take a look at the photographic recap of the ABL’s “Men of Influence” below.
