“Tonight is about impact,” said Good Trouble Gala host Karyn Greer.
On Thursday, May 29, the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation hosted its annual Good Trouble Gala at Flourish Atlanta, celebrating the enduring legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis and his wife, Lillian Miles Lewis.
The event opened with attendees walking into the ballroom to the sound of the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir. Presenters included U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, Henrietta Antonin, and Carolyn M. Young.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, an honorary co-chair, reminded attendees of Lewis’s national importance.
“Congressman Lewis was not just the conscience of Atlanta; often, he had to be the conscience of our country. We need him right now,” Dickens said. Reflecting on Lewis’s broader legacy, he added, “He may have been Troy, Alabama’s gift to Atlanta, but he was Atlanta’s gift to the world.”
The gala honored Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, head of the Smithsonian Institution, and Billye Suber Aaron, a former TV personality and philanthropist who is also the widow of baseball legend Hank Aaron.
“On occasions, he would stop by our home, and I remember asking him, ‘John, do you ever smile?’” Aaron said, recalling her friendship with Lewis.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff reflected on his relationship with the congressman, describing what it meant to be in the presence of such rare leadership.
“You knew you were in the presence of greatness—not just historical or political greatness, but spiritual, human greatness,” Ossoff said. “You could feel his decency, his empathy. It poured out of him.”
The year 2025 marks what would have been Lewis’s 85th birthday, a timely reminder that his call to action endures. Williams, who now holds Georgia’s 5th Congressional District seat, told attendees, “Congressman Lewis was more than just a civil rights icon to me. He showed up—for the people, for the causes, for the fight.”
The Foundation’s mission, to advance civic engagement and build the “beloved community”, was evident throughout the night. The gala recognized recipients of the Good Troublemaker Neighborhood Grants, which support local leaders continuing the Lewis legacy.
“Your time is now,” Williams told the young changemakers in the room. “Not someday, now. Use your voice, your education, your seat at every table to bring others with you.”
Ossoff, echoing the theme of perseverance, described Lewis as a “legendary fighter.”
“He used all the tools of nonviolent resistance to fight for justice,” he said. “And my goodness, would Congressman Lewis have loathed, opposed, and fought what is being done to this country right now?”
The event also featured the announcement of the Foundation’s Good Troublemaker Scholarships, awarded to graduating seniors entering college who exemplify the spirit of “good trouble.” Ossoff called their achievements living proof of Lewis’s enduring impact.
The night concluded with a preview of the Foundation’s upcoming hip-hop musical, Young Jon Lewis.
Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
Founded by Lewis himself, the Foundation continues to champion civic engagement, justice, and education in pursuit of his vision for a more equitable society. And in the year that would have marked his 85th birthday, the work continues—stronger than ever.
As Ossoff closed his remarks, he captured the spirit of the evening: “Thank you for being here to honor their legacy. Thank you for everything you do, for the state, for the nation, and for the world.”
