Among the community members, the DMDA has had a lasting impact on students seeking higher education. “The single most important program we built is the scholarship program,” says Brown. “I’m proud of the fact that the first scholarship was for $500. And now, we’re able to commit up to $50,000,” says Murphy Brown. “Our community partners have made that possible.”

Crystal Brown, President and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, says, “[The scholarship program] has obviously changed lives along the way because of the ability for students to attend college that otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity. We’ve seen many first-generation college attendees successfully complete, come back, and speak. It is making an impact.”

One of the past participants in the Unity Breakfast and scholarship program, Demond Garth, Principal of Austin High School, can attest to the event’s life-altering impact. Years ago, he was an attendee of the breakfast, and now he helps positively influence students’ futures. “At the time, I never knew I would be the principal of Austin High School. It was one of those things where I knew I was going to go to college. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do,” says Garth. He has transitioned from sitting in the audience to presenting scholarships on stage. “I get to get up there and give a scholarship to somebody that could change their life. It’s very powerful.”

Having an organization like the DMDA focused on making the future brighter for students and community members is one of many things that positively makes Decatur special. “We want to be in a position to make [students’] struggles a little lighter,” says Brown. “If they’re coming up short, and somebody cares about them, it’ll make all the difference in the world.”