Home Music Industry Trends Hurricane Dave Smith awarded Presidential Lifetime Achievement & ATL Proclamation

Hurricane Dave Smith awarded Presidential Lifetime Achievement & ATL Proclamation

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I’m celebrating the reception of the Joe Biden “President’s Lifetime Achievement Award” and a Proclamation from the City of Atlanta on the same day. This was at the Atlanta Chapter Honors, National Black Radio Hall of Fame.  

Hurricane Dave Smith

I am beyond honored to receive the Joe Biden Lifetime Achievement Award for over 30 years of community service. This recognition is humbling, and I accept it not just for myself but for every person, organization, and movement that allowed me to serve in a meaningful way. People often ask me how I created 14 number-one-rated radio stations in every market I’ve been in—the answer has always been simple: I focused on the community first. When you pour into the people, they pour back into you.

To make February 22, 2025, even more special, I was also presented with a Proclamation from the City of Atlanta—a city I fell in love with and a place that has given me so much. From launching impactful initiatives like The Radio One Christmas Angels Program and Bullying Is Not Hot to playing a pivotal role as the VP of Programming for Hot 1079 in mediating and resolving the well-publicized feud between Gucci Mane, DJ Drama, and Young Jeezy, unity has always been my mission, my legacy is now cemented in Atlanta, GA.

These acknowledgments serve as a reminder that the work we do matters, that serving others and leading with integrity creates a lasting impact, and that my legacy in radio in Atlanta isn’t just about ratings—it’s about uplifting people, bridging gaps and leaving things better than I found them. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along this journey. The work continues!