Photo by Daniel Borremans
The Social Justice Awards was a truly magical experience! On this unforgettable evening, we honored remarkable individuals who tirelessly work for justice and often go unnoticed. It was a night filled with heartfelt celebrations of social justice, where we recognized the dedication and impact of these changemakers.
Beyond the awards, the event brought together like-minded individuals passionate about creating change. The energy in the room was inspiring as we connected, networked, and danced the night away.
It was a beautiful reminder of the power of community and collaboration. We look forward to celebrating with fabulous changemakers again next year!
CONGRATS TO 2025 WINNERS
- Courtney Omega Doss: The Colored Only Cafe (Social Justice Champion)
The Colored Only Cafe, founded and directed by Courney Omega Doss serves the community through vibrant, healthy meals, connection, and kingdom culture. The Colored Only Cafe offers Colorful cuisine, raw culture and lively community on the menu. Through this program, Courtney and her team visit local food drives and bargain hunt food grocers and growers for you, for free! Her heart and her passion for community shines through everything she does. We thank her for her work in our community
- Chaplain Cole Knapper and Alys Wilman: Reparations for Linnentown (Racial Justice Champions)
Chaplain Cole Knapper is a truly intersectional, 21st Century Civil Rights Activist. She is a Voting Rights advocate, a Climate Justice activist, and a Progressive Veteran from the great state of Georgia. A National Action Network (NAN) – ordained Chaplain, she is an Ivy League-educated, highly-decorated, Post 9/11 Afghanistan War Veteran who deployed on 4 separate Tours of Duty to the Middle East and was awarded two (2) Bronze Star Medals for her service (once as a Corporal (2002), then again as a Captain in Command of Troops in Afghanistan (2010), and a Combat Action Badge (CAB) years before Women were allowed to serve in Combat roles in the Military. Chaplain Cole holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the prestigious, Historically Black College / University (HBCU) Spelman College, and she holds three (3) Master’s Degrees in Technology, Media & Education (including two from the Ivy League), Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the current Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, NAN NYC Chapter.
A member of the NAACP, Indivisible Georgia District 10, the Concerned Black Clergy of Georgia, and Common Defense, a nationwide Progressive Veterans’ organization devoted to saving our democracy through Peaceful, Nonviolent, Social Actions (PNVSA).
Chaplain Cole serves on the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens (ICPGA), Family Connection-Communities in Schools, the Athens Area Human Relations Council (AAHRC), the Champions Foundation, she is the first woman to ever be selected to serve as a Chaplain for the Athens-Clarke County (ACC PD) Police Department, and she is also the President of her Toastmasters Club, and co-chair of the Athens Reparations Action (ARA). Chaplain Cole is an up-and-coming national organizer and a force to be reckoned with within the Movement for Civil and Human Rights.
Alys Willman:
Alys Willman is a singer/songwriter, international development economist and proud co-conspirator in the movements for immigrant rights and racial justice in Athens. She co-leads the non-profit Athens Reparations Action, serves on the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition (AIRC) Steering Committee, volunteers with Support for Immigrant Families in Crisis and the AIRC Rapid Response Team and is a Clarke County Elections Worker. Alys and her partner Danny, and sons Nico and Oscar manage an urban homestead in Normaltown where they keep bees, raise chickens and grow vegetables.
The nonprofit organization Athens Reparations Action was created in August 2022 in order to bring recognition and awareness to what they see as racist policies used to hurt African Americans at the time, such as the Linnentown incident in Athens. (Taken from Grady News Source) With meetings hosted to spread awareness about reparations for Linnentown and even participating in a PBS documentary highlighting the necessity for reparations in communities, Chaplain Cole Knapper and Alys Wilman are being recognized for being changemakers for their leadership in Athens Reparations Action. The group was able to raise over $120,000 and held a ceremony to honor the descendants of Linnentown. We thank them for their work in our community.
- Kenia Gonzalez-Chavez: Dignidad Immigrante (Social Justice Champion)
Kenia is particularly passionate about law, politics, and social justice but one of her passions is dedicated to ensuring that individuals, especially those who struggle to afford essential products, receive the support they need. Her personal experiences fuel her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.Through EmpowerMoms Unity, she has been able to support 655 children and adults over the last nine months by supplying period, hygiene, and baby products. This support allows individuals to attend school, go to work, and manage their daily lives without the added stress of affording basic necessities. Her advocacy on local and legislative issues, including immigration reform, has inspired more community members, especially teens, to stand up for their beliefs and get involved in making a positive impact. She is committed to expanding this work, aiming to create lasting impacts for children, teenagers, and adults in my community by increasing access to vital resources and information.
- Dr. Freda Giles: ASALH (Racial Justice Champion)
Dr. Giles, is the Associate Professor of Theatre and the Institute for African American Studies, as well as the president of ASALH, or The Association for the Study of African American Life and History. We want to take this moment to thank her and ASALH for their efforts in preserving and illuminating the Black historical voices of Athens, and bringing light to the Black stories untold. Through projects like the Black history bowl, panel discussions, and youth focused programs, ASALH is representative of how we can be in community in Athens.
- Ester Carillo (Community Impact Award)
Ester Carillo is an organizer for Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens. Through her facilitation of leadership development and workers’ rights training, and food distribution for families in need from her home (Taken from Athens-Banner Herald) her passion and dedication to and for her community shines through her actions. In her work at Dignidad Inmigrante,she has helped connect immigrant community members to doctors and immigration lawyers. She also started Casa de Cultura, which is a space for Latina Artists. Her passion for immigrant rights has greatly served our community. Tonight we honor her and her efforts.
- Steve Williams Social Justice Champion:
Steve was born in Elmira and spent his formative years in Buffalo, Rochester and Jamestown, New York. He spent his high school years in Erie, Pennsylvania, then went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree from Syracuse University and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Over the last five years, Steve has served as a volunteer and supporter of AADM and its programs through its Local Action Committee and more recently its Justice Reform committee under the leadership of Chaplin Cole Knapper. During that time, he has focused his time and energy on the criminal legal system and in particular, AADM’s initiative to create a police oversight board in Athens.
That initiative bore fruit in early 2022 with the creation of such an entity by the ACC Commission( the Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board or PSCOB) . Since its creation, Steve has monitored, in person or remotely, every PSCOB meeting. Together with other Justice Reform Committee members, Steve has fought for full funding, adequate staffing and transparency to fulfill PSCOB’s mission. Steve and Wilma celebrate 50 years of marriage this June and have one daughter and four grandchildren.
- Jamius Brooks Youth Leadership Award:
Jamius Brooks is the owner of Faithon.Us, a brand dedicated to spreading faith and positivity despite the challenges we face in today’s world. He invites us to join him in making a difference by performing simple acts of kindness—whether it’s complimenting someone, praying for them, buying lunch, or paying for a haircut—and share it using #FaithonUs to inspire others and help build a community of faith and hope.
- Arlisha Trotter (Molly2hott) (Community Service Award):
Arlisha Trotter is known professionally as Molly Ones, an American Rapper and Author. Writing is one of her lifelong passions. She was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Looking for a change, she relocated to Athens, GA, in 2016. She hit the ground running, starting up her own Label Family Fortune Entertainment. All Trotter’s publications were published and distributed by her and her Label. Hitting all major digital platforms worldwide in (2016). She published her first book titled (2016)” A Hood Love Affair” and signed her first Artist, Cheezy Scott. She went on to publish her very first Audiobook narrated by her, along with a Single for a soundtrack. She released her first EP, Caution, in (2017). She’s performed at the Chit Chat and the Bottleship Lounge in Atlanta. (taken from Athfest website) Her organization Open Purpose had 2 events that impacted the Athens Community! She also held a 50 Shades of cancer event and 30 days of HipHop for the homeless! Open Purpose brought awareness and educated others with these events!
- Jennine DeLane (Racial Justice Champion):
Jennine Labuzan-DeLane is a Californian native with a background in Psychology and Education from Howard University. In her current role with the University of Georgia, she is responsible for building strategic agency and community based partnerships to ensure UGA SNAP-Ed reaches its highest potential in health and nutrition outreach education to limited income communities throughout the state. DeLane also sits as Board Chair for Farm to Neighborhood non-profit organization and is founding director of Indigenous Community Solutions, an advocacy organization for Indigenous/African American human rights, justice, and restorative development. It is her hope to leave a sustainable Indigenous cultural legacy and empower the next generation to do the same. She is being recognized tonight for her advocacy, as well as her hard work on coordinating Kwanzaa events for the Athens community that are free in open to the public. Her love for people and her community is shown through her efforts in bringing us together.
- Georgia Conflict Center (Social Justice Champion):
Georgia Conflict Center (GCC) is a small nonprofit organization with large reach and impact, founded in 2011 in Athens, Georgia. Our mission is to build peace with justice by advancing restorative practices within communities, schools and institutions. We build community capacity through training and facilitation in the areas of conflict transformation, restorative justice, and nonviolent communication. GCC sees it’s work in restorative justice as part of a global movement that prioritizes building community and connection, democratic participation, and responding to harm in ways that embrace relationships, inclusiveness, support, ownership and accountability.
- Monique Sanders (Social Justice Champion):
Monique M. Sanders is the CEO and Founder of Get Stemulated Foundation, Incorporated. Her organization’s aim is to provide supplementary educational training and practical tools to strengthen the fundamental lessons in curriculum geared towards science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); to further promote career awareness and technical preparedness upon graduation. Monique’s passion is to harness the value of her professional experiences in industry to leverage future capabilities for youth; fostering the development of skills that will generate more confidence in their ability to solve global problems through innovation.
In addition to her extensive professional experience, Monique serves the Athens Clarke County community in several leadership capacities as member of the ACC Planning Commission, Athens Community Career Academy Board of Directors, Historic Athens Advisory Board-Corporate Liason, Family Connection Communities in School of Athens Board of Directors and has chartered the only two National Society of Black Engineer (NSBE) Jr. Chapters in Athens at Barnett Shoals Elementary School and JJ Harris Elementary School through her leadership as the Service to Youth Facet Chair in the Athens Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. She continues to be inspired by Mahatma Ghandi’s quote, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
- Evelyn Rushing (Community Leadership Award):
Evelyn Anel Rushing, hailing from Peru. With a background in community engagement, education, and administration, I currently hold the position of Branch Manager and Director at Pinewoods Library. I’m dedicated to developing engaging and effective learning experiences for our diverse and underserved community. I leverage my skills in leadership, communication, and collaboration to cultivate a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for both our community members and partners. As a strong advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity, I aim to make a positive difference in the lives of those I serve.
Apart from my position at Pinewoods, I engage with other organizations and head the Under The Tree Christmas assistance program. I have also worked with the Clarke County School District in the past.
- Diane Greene (Social Justice Champion)
Dianne Greene is the new Outreach Coordinator/Recovery Life Coach who believes in the power of community service. She began this part of her journey in Recovery Life Coaching several years ago having to deal with personal issues with mental health and substance abuse. The opportunity presented to Mrs. Greene at PLR seems only fitting for Mrs Greene. She applied for the position and landed the job. Mrs. Greene loves working with people in order to help them to make their lives better by connecting them with the right people and resources. She also offers FREE life coaching service by appointment only to anyone that needs and wants the service. Having successfully operated and run Ruby’s Helping Hands Caregiving Service in the area for a number of years. Mrs Greene was afforded the opportunity to work with so many wonderful families in their time of need and have maintained lasting relationships with so many of the individuals and families.
Dianne Greene and her son Lamar Young Jr. reside in Winterville, Ga.When she is not busy with helping people she enjoys listening to music,reading,bird watching,writing and photography in her spare time.
- Kristi and Keamyriah Arnold (Youth Leadership Award):
I was born in Atlanta but grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I returned to Georgia often, as I had family here. After life changing Events in 2021, I jumped at the opportunity to move to Athens, Georgia, to be near my brother. I had fallen in LOVE with Athens during my visits. The progressiveness, the music, the volunteer opportunities, the breweries, and Olli were calling me. Within the first 2 weeks, I had participated in a march for Ahmaud Arbery and demonstrated on the corner of Baxter and Alps with Indivisible. Soon I was co-chair of Indivisible, with Bob Covi and then Kat Chapin. I had attended the AADM School to Prison Pipeline presentation in early 2023 and was very moved by the stories, the causes and solutions. As my tenure with Indivisible was ending, I met with Mokah who needed Mentors for this program. I agreed to give it a try. I knew this would be a challenge, so I asked for tips. Show up, listen, show up, don’t judge, and show up. So, I did. This has been the most rewarding work I have ever done.
After every session I would be exhausted but with my heart full. I will be continuing with Mentoring when the next session starts.
- Caryl Sundland (Social Justice Champion):
Caryl Sundland was born January 7, 1933, in the Bronx in New York City and earned a B. S. in Elementary Education. She moved to Athens, Georgia, in 1980 and retired from the UGA Extension Service in 1998.
Caryl began being involved in social action work before she could vote, campaigning for Adlai Stevenson. She marched with Cesar Chavez in the grape and lettuce boycott in St. Louis and went on to volunteer with Global Volunteers, working in the Children’s Rain Forest and in Impacali, Florida, with the Farm Workers Union. Caryl joined the Social Action Committee at UUFA shortly after she moved to Athens, Georgia. She dopted a Latino family and helped them move to a mobile home after they were evicted from the one they were living in. In addition, Caryl worked on five Habitat Houses and got a grant to start a GED program with Daily Bread clients. Caryl organized a tutoring program at Alps Road Elementary School and also became a board member of the Economic Justice Coalition, working with them for 18 years.
Caryl’s passion has been achieving racial justice and economic equality. She has participated in many MLK parades and carried the Black Lives Matter banner, done voter registration and education, and fought for a living wage. Caryl has supported many causes both financially and with her presence at community events.
- Harold Davis (Youth Leadership Award):
Lincoln Rhyme, also known as Lr Da Star, is a 30-year-old rapper, songwriter, and youth mentor from Athens, Georgia. Inspired by Eminem’s debut album, he transitioned from poetry to rapping at a young age, crafting a unique, “crafty” style layered with meaning.Beyond music, Lincoln values the support of a former staff member who continues to stand by him as a trusted ally and mentor. His latest project, The Pillow Album, revives overlooked tracks from earlier work, showcasing his timeless artistry. Collaborating with producers Dirt Reynolds, Machi, and RiverBoi, the album features standout tracks like “The Passion,” an anthem for aspiring artists. With Grammy dreams in sight, Lincoln remains dedicated to creating purposeful, impactful music and uplifting the next generation.
