The Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America selects outstanding Atlanta community members and organizations to receive the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award each year. The national Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award is designed to recognize those individuals and corporations who have been instrumental in developing Scouting for disadvantaged youth in underserved urban and rural areas. This year’s Whitney M. Young Reception will be hosted at the Atlanta Area Council Volunteer Service Center on September 12, 2024, starting at 6PM.

This award recognizes "unsung heroes," those who do exceptional service for disadvantaged youth. The mission of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Awards Banquet is to secure community resources in support of the Scouting Program for at-risk youth and to provide experiences that develop self-esteem, character values, and living skills, thereby enhancing the lives of young people in disadvantaged areas of our community.

The 2024 Awards Ceremony will be chaired by Erik Deadwyler, SVP of Smurfit WestRock Company. The corporate honoree will recognize the Waffle House Foundation, whom the Atlanta Area Council, BSA is grateful for their continued support and investment in the leadership development of our youth, especially considering the recent passing of CEO Walt Ehmer. The ceremony will also recognize Farideh Azadi, President of Farideh and Ali Azadi Foundation, the Vale la Pena Award for outstanding service by an adult or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic / Latino youth.

The ceremony will recognize and award thirteen individuals with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award, including Mike Bartlett, EVP/COO of JE Dunn Construction; Matt Brigham, VP & Treasurer of Genuine Parts Company; Nick Brooks, Music Educator at Burgess Peterson Academy; John Embleton, Private Advisor of Rockefeller Global Family Office; Ron Gates, Pricing Data Analyst at Ferguson Enterprises; Randy Hall, CEO of Batson-Cook; Tina Kerr, Customer Success Manager at Blue Yonder; Diamond McNulty, CEO of McNulty International; Bill Peck, Managing Director at Seix Investment Advisors; Lalith Silva, Research Chemist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Broderick Talley, Senior Customer Success Manager at Secureworks; Jean Veeneman, Senior Technology Manager at Bank of America; and Daniel Yee, former reporter and editor of the Associated Press.

Named in honor of civil rights leader Whitney M. Young, Jr., this award is given to volunteers and organizations that develop and implement Scouting opportunities for youth in low-income and rural areas. This service recognizes the fulfillment of Dr. Young’s dream of justice and equality for all. For more information about the event and to register visit https://www.atlantabsa.org/wmy