Good Deeds International (GDI), LLC, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a Limited Liability Corporation as of November 2007. When formulating the “name” of this newly-minted 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 Operating Officer/President, Donald Blount; Chief Operating Officer/Vice President Cora Stovall O’Kelley; Chief Financial Officer Theresa Bailey; Corporate Secretary Melanie Fields; Treasurer Kimberly Davis; Executive Director Cheryl Powe, and Sergeant of Arms Arthur Allen. Other members include Committee Chairpersons, Kirk Pacley and Devan Powe.

There are a total of nine 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 Purpose—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 Mission 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 a 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.”

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. GDI also hosted a food drive to collect nonperishable food and financial donations for “Hosea Feed the Hungry.” Our members have participated in cancer walks for Susan B. Komen, Fox5 HearTrek, March of Dimes for Babies and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Additionally, GDI has provided financial support for some personal hardship cases and several local charities throughout 2008.

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. Plans are to take advantage of opportunities to provide assistance to others, albeit financially, emotionally, educationally, spiritually, socially, or politically.

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 growth and development of the “Heritage Ball” is impressive. Attendance increased from 300 plus persons for a single night affair in February 2008 to well over 1200 people for a four-night extravaganza in February 2009.

GDI is currently making plans to enhance our community-minded vision by adding a “Heritage Scholarship Foundation” to our corporate portfolio. Our first award will be presented during the Heritage Ball 2010. The Foundation’s goal will be to support deserving youth who are pursuing their post secondary educational dreams in accredited trade schools, colleges, and universities. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on preestablished criteria and it is our goal to aide student(s) throughout their collegiate career.

Notably, GDI also established a Stepper's Achievement Award in 2009, whose inaugural presentation went to Mellow Khris for his unprecedented musical contributions to the national steppin' community.

Additionally, we are recognized in the Steppin’ Community, both locally and nationally, including one World Largest Contest winner and several other notable contest contenders and winners.

GDI, born from an original idea of two friends, is now a wholly operating entity to celebrate and support our local and national charities, educational systems, contribute positively to the uniting of local and national steppin’ communities and to grow this beautiful couple's dance called Chicago-Style Steppin.’

“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” ~George Washington Carver~