African American Male Initiative

Dr. Akinyele Umoja is a scholar-activist and professor of Africana Studies at Georgia State University. Umoja is the author of the award-winning book, We Will Shoot Back: Armed Resistance and the Mississippi Freedom Movement (NYU Press, 2013). Umoja also co-edited another prizewinning publication, the two-volume Black Power Encyclopedia (Greenwood Press, 2018). Umoja is well recognized within the national scholarly community evidenced by his position as a board member of the National Council of Black Studies and his service on the Advisory Board of the journal The Black Scholar. The National Council of Black Studies (2008) and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (1998) acknowledged him for his activism. Umoja is also an internationally recognized scholar as he has presented his scholarship in Germany, Spain, Haiti and Venezuela, as well as his essays appear in Spanish and German language publications.

Dr. Brandon Lewis is an associate professor in the School of Education at Georgia Gwinnett College with twenty years of teaching experience spanning K-12 and higher education. As a graduate of Fort Valley State University, the University of Minnesota and Georgia State University, Lewis's academic credentials underscore his dedication to lifelong learning and professional development. Lewis’s commitment to social justice advocacy and culturally responsive teaching is evident in his pedagogical efforts both inside and outside the classroom. Lewis brings a comprehensive understanding of educational theory and practice to his role, which he uses to enrich the academic experience of his students and community.

Lewis is deeply involved in scholarship, community engagement and mentorship. He currently serves as the director of the African American Male Initiative-Elite Scholars and is the founder of Stepping Toward Educational Progress (STEP), a youth program that utilizes the art form of stepping to develop children holistically.

Allan Coye runs the Global Digital Strategy & Business Development department at Warner Music Group. He and his team are responsible for negotiating deals aimed at distributing and monetizing Warner Music’s extensive catalog of music and sound recordings across the world, with global digital service providers such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, Amazon Music, Meta, Peloton, Snapchat, Audiomack, Tidal and many others. Additionally, Coye launched a podcasting network at Warner called Interval Presents, and served as its general manager. Interval Presents aimed to uplift and empower diverse voices to underserved audiences in the podcast space and partnered with shows and talent such as Drink Champs with NORE and DJ EFN, Rap Radar with Elliott Wilson and B.Dot Miller, Lupita Nyong’o, Jason Derulo, Ebony K. Williams, and many others.

Prior to his tenure at WMG, he was vice president of Strategy & Business Development at Viacom, where he worked closely with cable networks such as Comedy Central, MTV and Vh1 on strategy and finding new business opportunities. The Atlanta native began his career in financial services at companies such as Goldman Sachs and Investcorp. He completed his undergraduate studies at Georgia Tech and his MBA at Yale. He currently resides in New York City.

Ryan Smith is a dedicated higher education professional who has been serving his alma mater, Georgia Gwinnett College, for nearly five years. He began his career in Student Housing and has since transitioned to Student Life, where he oversees various programs, including the Greenlight Activities Board and the Community and Belonging Ambassadors. Smith is committed to fostering a strong sense of community and school spirit by organizing events that enhance campus culture and pride. His dedication and impact earned him the prestigious 2024 Top Claw Award.

Gustavious Maddox's journey to mentoring stardom is a testament to his dedication and discipline. While earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in management at Georgia Gwinnett College, he served as vice president for an international nonprofit organization and became a voice for communities nationwide. His most notable role was with African American Male Initiative (AAMI), where he connected with vital resources and influential figures like Councilman Austin Thompson. AAMI played a crucial role in shaping Maddox into the man he wanted to be, free from societal constraints. After graduating early in 2023, Maddox founded Goldenchild Visions & Services, LLC, a motivational company advocating for Georgia's youth. Now, as an AAMI board member and alumni liaison, he remains dedicated to connecting AAMI with the broader community.

Dr. Rashad Simmons is an associate professor of chemistry at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), having worked there since 2011. Simmons is a recipient of the 2024 GGC Top Claw Award. He currently serves as a co-assistant director of the AAMI-Elite Scholars Program, focusing on retaining, graduating and equipping scholars. Simmons also serves as a senior chemistry faculty mentor for the GGC Peer Supplemental Instruction (PSI) program and regularly engages students as a volunteer tutor at the Academic Enhancement Center.