Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) held its 29th Annual Legacy Awards on September 14th at The St. Regis Atlanta. More than 300 attendees enjoyed the “Fabulous Las Vegas”-themed event with musical performances by Bogey and the Viceroy, casino-style gaming, and comedy from host Ricki Derek. The event raised over $450,000 through sponsorship, fundraising, and a live and silent auction.

“The Legacy Awards give us the opportunity to recognize some truly remarkable people each year,” said Kwame Johnson, President and CEO of BBBSMA. “This year, in particular, our honorees have demonstrated the power of mentorship not only in the lives of our Bigs and Littles -- but also its lasting impact on our communities.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens welcomed guests by recognizing Big Brothers Big Sisters for the critical service provided to the families and communities of Greater Atlanta. “I declared 2023 the ‘Year of the Youth…’ It’s my goal to one day make Atlanta the best place in the United States to raise a child,” said Mayor Dickens. “I thank Big Brothers Big Sisters for their role in offering guidance and direction to our young people.”

The V. Thomas Murray Founder’s Award recipient is Paul Shenk. The 2023 Outstanding Graduate Award recipients are Sharon Ajayi (presented by Tiffany Burns, McKinsey & Company) and Eric White Jr. (presented by David Duncan, Georgia-Pacific). The Legacy Award honoree is Steven Cayton (presented by Malcolm Berkley, UPS). The Defender of Potential Award recipient is the late Perry Bell (presented by Carol Waddy, Chick-fil-A).

The Platinum Sponsor was The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Gold Sponsors included Chick-fil-A, Cox Enterprises/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, First Horizon, Georgia-Pacific, Georgia Power, Publix Super Markets Charities, and UPS. Silver Sponsors included KPMG, and QuikTrip.

For more information, and to view photos of the event, visit: www.bbbsatl.org/Legacy2023

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta 

For 63 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) has transformed the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in our community through a proven youth development strategy: one-to-one mentoring. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. The agency serves approximately 1,300 children from 12 metro Atlanta counties on an annual basis.