SR473: SR473 Black Man Lab; honor

This resolution is a ceremonial honor from the Georgia Senate. It does not change any law. It recognizes the Black Man Lab, an organization founded by four Black fathers, Mawuli Davis, Jarrod Grant, Dana Watkins, and Melek Buford, along with their sons, to support young Black men's leadership and personal development. The resolution describes the group's mission of helping Black men develop what it calls authentic manhood through mentorship, professional development, and community gatherings, including one of the largest weekly gatherings for Black men in the country. The Senate formally commends the organization and directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for the Black Man Lab.

• Formally honors the Black Man Lab for its work supporting and mentoring Black men and boys.
• Recites the organization's founding by four Black fathers and their sons and its stated mission and vision.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Black Man Lab.
• Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute or provide any state funding.

The resolution directly names and honors the Black Man Lab, an organization serving Black men and boys, and its founders Mawuli Davis, Jarrod Grant, Dana Watkins, and Melek Buford. It has no legal effect on the public at large.

As a ceremonial resolution, it carries no legal or financial consequences for Georgians, but it gives official state recognition to a community organization's mentorship work, which can raise its public profile and provide symbolic validation.

• The whereas clauses describe the Black Man Lab's founding, mission, and community impact but carry no legal force.
• The resolving clause formally honors the organization for its contributions to empowering Black men.
• A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Black Man Lab.

1. 2025-03-27Senate Withdrawn Bill/Res Consideration (Senate)
2. 2025-03-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)Primary sponsor
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)

• community recognition
• mentorship programs
• Black men and boys
• Georgia Senate resolution