An African-Centered Advocate for Civil Rights
Mawuli Mel Davis, the founding partner of Davis Bozeman Johnson Law, is a respected Civil Rights Attorney, Human Rights Organizer, and Author based in Atlanta. With offices in Savannah, Statesboro, and Decatur, Davis Bozeman Johnson Law stands as one of Georgia’s largest African American-owned law firms.
A Champion for Change
For close to three decades, Davis has dedicated himself to building coalitions, organizing protests, and providing training to support the Black Liberation Movement. His involvement in the historic “Durban 400” delegation at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in South Africa, where the crimes of colonialism and slavery were acknowledged, exemplifies his commitment. Davis also played a crucial role in putting an end to “cash money bonds” in Atlanta and in the removal of the Confederate Monument in Decatur. He has been instrumental in the development of youth empowerment programs, co-founding Let Us Make Man, The Black Man Lab, and Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights.
A Defender of Activists and Victims
As an attorney, Davis has stood up for activists involved in the Occupy Movement, Moral Monday, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. He has tirelessly represented victims of police brutality and community members falsely accused of crimes. Davis holds an impressive educational background, with a degree from the United States Naval Academy, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Bowie State University, and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. His exceptional contributions have not gone unnoticed, as he was awarded the prestigious 2019 Ben Johnson Public Service Award by Georgia State University College of Law. Davis has been consistently recognized as a Super Lawyer for seven consecutive years by Atlanta Magazine and received the Justice for All Award from Rolling Out Magazine. The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) also bestowed upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
A Recognized Figure in the Media
Following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, Attorney Davis organized a historic “Respect Black Life” March, which saw over 5,000 protestors walk from the Atlanta University Center to CNN Headquarters. Ebony Magazine captured an iconic photograph of this powerful demonstration. Davis’s cases have received widespread media coverage, with outlets such as the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, USA Today, New York Times, NPR Radio, CNN, TMZ, Time Magazine, and Worldstarhiphop recognizing his work. He has made diverse television appearances, ranging from being a guest commentator on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to representing recording artist Lil’ Scrappy on VH-1’s Love & Hip Hop.
An Advocate Honored for His Contributions
Attorney Davis has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including Father of the Year by Jack & Jill Inc. of Atlanta, Mentor of the Year by the Atlanta Alumni Association of Morehouse College, and Father of Distinction by the Concerned Black Clergy. The ACLU, Urban League, Southern Center for Human Rights, Gate City Bar Association, and National Black Prosecutors Association have all recognized him as an outstanding advocate. In his honor, the DeKalb Lawyers Association (DLA) established the Mawuli Davis Legal Warrior Award. Davis actively participates in organizations such as the Southern Center for Human Rights, Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute, Just-Georgia, and the Walter Rodney Foundation.
A Message for the Next Generation
Recently, Attorney Davis published his first book titled “We Need You!: Encouraging My Sons’ Generation for Black Liberation,” which is available from Third World Press. He is happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Jana Johnson-Davis, who is an activist-educator. Together, they have two sons, Kobie Jason and Khari Malcolm.
To learn more about Mawuli Mel Davis and his work, visit Garrity Traina.
