Community members, local leaders, and nonprofit organizations gathered on December 13 for the Spirit of DeKalb Awards Gala. The annual event aims to honor service and leadership in DeKalb County while raising funds to address food insecurity among residents.
The gala was hosted by radio personality Ryan Cameron and included performances by electric violinist Alex Anh and Orchestra Noir. The event recognized individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community, with a focus on addressing hunger in DeKalb County.
“We are here to Celebrate excellence across leadership, innovation, community impact, and service,” said CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “The Spirit of DeKalb Awards not only honors those who serve with purpose, but also helps provide critical resources to support families who are struggling to put food on the table.”
During the evening, The Same House received a $25,000 donation from the county in partnership. The organization works to bridge social and economic divides within communities and will use the funds to continue its efforts against food insecurity.
Attendees participated in an awards ceremony, dinner, and opportunities for sponsorships or donations. Funds raised will be directed toward local programs that improve access to food and develop sustainable solutions for hunger relief throughout DeKalb County.
Special recognition was given posthumously to Officer David Rose and Master Firefighter Preston Fant. Officer Rose received both the Medal of Honor—the highest award from the DeKalb County Police Department—and the Meritorious Service Award. Master Firefighter Fant was awarded the DeKalb County Fire Rescue’s Medal of Honor.
Award recipients included Jimmie Brooks (Outstanding Innovation Award), Akindele Akinsola (Employee of the Year), Peggy Allen (Lifetime Achievement Award), Kaisa-Lisa White (Chamber Volunteer of the Year), The Smart Place (Earl A. Walker Small Business of the Year), Royal Caribbean Bakery (Business Legacy Award), La Jeffa (Lou Walker Community Impact Award), The Levett Family Foundation and Mr. Ali Katoot (Bill Gates Philanthropist of the Year), and Victor Mbaba (Public Servant of the Year).
The Spirit of DeKalb Awards is supported by sponsors, partners, and attendees committed to building a healthier community. Each year’s event highlights an urgent need within DeKalb County while honoring those whose work benefits local residents.
For more information about this year’s gala or future events, visit spiritofdekalbawards.com.
DeKalb County schools enrolled 98,287 students during the 2022-23 school year according to state data: https://www.gadoe.org/. This represented a 2.2% decrease compared with enrollment numbers from the previous year: https://www.gadoe.org/. White students made up 14% of all students enrolled in county schools during that period: https://www.gadoe.org/.
