SR147: SR147 Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct Center for Youth; recognize

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate honoring the L.E.A.D. Center for Youth, an Atlanta organization founded in 2007 by C.J. Stewart and his wife Kelli. The resolution describes how the group uses baseball for boys and tennis for girls to help Atlanta youth build life skills, avoid the effects of poverty and crime, and improve academically and socially. The resolution does not create any new law, funding, or program on its own. It simply states the Senate's recognition of L.E.A.D.'s work and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send the organization an official copy of the resolution as a token of that recognition.

• Formally states that the Georgia Senate recognizes and commends the L.E.A.D. Center for Youth for its work with Atlanta youth.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send an official copy of the resolution to the L.E.A.D. Center for Youth.
• Creates no new statute, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial expression of the Senate's views.

The resolution directly names the L.E.A.D. Center for Youth, its founders C.J. Stewart and Kelli Stewart, and the Atlanta Public Schools students and metro Atlanta youth the organization serves through its sports programs.

Because this is a commendatory resolution, it has no legal effect on Georgians beyond the honor itself; it does not change any law, fund any program, or impose any requirement. Its practical effect is limited to public recognition and a ceremonial document sent to the organization.

• The whereas clauses describe L.E.A.D.'s founding in 2007, its use of baseball and tennis programming, and its goal of helping Atlanta's Black youth overcome poverty, crime, and racism.
• The whereas clauses note a planned $12 million sports-based youth development complex in the Bankhead community intended to serve more than 1,000 young people annually.
• The resolved clause has the Senate formally recognize and commend the organization and wish it continued success.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the organization.

1. 2025-02-11Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-10Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)Primary sponsor
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)

• youth development
• Atlanta nonprofits
• legislative recognition
• sports mentoring programs