Good Deeds International Team Members: 
Pictured: (L to R) Kim Davis, Arthur Allen, Cheryl Powe, Devan Powe, Donald Blount, Kirk Pacley, Cora O'Kelley, Melanie Fields
Good Deeds International (GDI), LLC is based in Atlanta, Georgia and a Limited Liability Corporation as of November 2007. Good Deeds International Foundation, Inc. obtained its 501c3 status in 2011.
When formulating the "name" of the organization, GDI focused on a "brand" that would epitomize our community and civic-mindedness of doing "Good Deeds" throughout the nation.
Its member structure includes Chief Executive Officer/President, Cheryl "SUGARFOOT" Powe; Chief Operating Officer/Vice President, Donald Blount; Chief Financial Officer, Melanie Fields; Treasurer, Kirk Pacley; Corporate Secretary, Cora Stovall O'Kelley; Sergeant of Arms, Arthur Allen; Community Affairs and Transportation Liaison, Kimberly Davis; and Music & Entertainment Director, Devan Powe.
There are a total of eight members who are businessmen/women with varied backgrounds and professional experiences. Collectively, we bring over 100 years of business savvy to GDI.
GDI is proud of our Mission—uniting in the community, helping those who need a hand, rejoicing in our successes, uplifting in our failures and fostering unwavering solidarity. By actualizing our purpose, we will fulfill our Mission.
Our Purpose is to bring like-minded people together through dance as a means of encouraging unity. We are committed to showcasing our heritage through dance and demonstrating our rich culture that has evolved over the years and across the nation. GDI focuses on celebrating and broadening the awareness of African American Heritage through a beautiful couple's dance called Chicago Style Steppin.'
GDI is proud to be located in the city of Atlanta--Georgia's most famous metropolis. It is a mecca of diverse people, culture, world class entertainment, Fortune 500 companies, the world's busiest airport and honored to be the final resting place of Nobel Peace Prize and Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inarguably, GDI and Atlantans take pride in their famous "Southern Hospitality."
Our community involvement is one of our proudest state of being. GDI also hosted food drives to collect nonperishable food and financial donations for "Hosea Feed the Hungry" for the past 7 years. Our members have participated in cancer walks for Susan B. Komen, Fox5 HearTrek, March of Dimes for Babies and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. We coordinate and donate twice a year to My Sister's House, a residence for women and children of domestic violence. GDI is heavily involved weekly with the United Way Silver Sneakers (Senior Citizens Physical Fitness) Program. We minister to the homeless each year by sponsoring lunch to them in the downtown area. In 2009, we awarded Mr. Cedric Johnson, Founder of Atlanta's "The Scholar Keeper, Incorporated" and Ms. Monique Salter of Chicago, Illinois, Founder of "The Step & Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation" for their quests to make a positive difference in our communities. Additionally, GDI has provided financial support for some personal hardship cases and several local charities.
Our goal is to continue to foster relationships and partnerships with other community-based organizations, such as the YMCA, Girl Scouts of America, Sickle Cell Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of America, and other volunteer and mentoring programs. We will take advantage of opportunities to provide assistance to others, albeit financially, emotionally, educationally, spiritually, socially, or politically.
In 2008, Good Deeds International for Kids (GDI4K) was established for our Scholarship Program affording us the opportunity to provide financial assistance to young deserving students in pursuit of their post secondary educational dreams at accredited trade schools, colleges, and universities.
As a culmination of all our Good Deeds throughout the year, we come together in February in commemoration of Black History Month by sponsoring an Annual "Celebrating Our Heritage Ball."
The "Heritage Ball" is the largest event of its kind in the country. The growth and development of the "Heritage Ball" is impressive. Attendance increased from 300 plus persons for a single night affair in February 2008 to currently, well over 4,000 people for a four-night extravaganza in February.
Additionally, we are recognized in the Steppin' Community, both locally and nationally, including the World Largest Contest winners and several other notable contest contenders and winners.
GDI was born from an original idea of two friends, Donald Blount and Steve Mathews. This organization is now a wholly operating entity to celebrate and support our local and national charities, educational systems, contribute to the uniting of local/national steppin' communities and to grow this beautiful couple's dance called Chicago Style Steppin.'
Our Motto:
"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." ~George Washington Carver~
