Mawuli Davis

Mawuli Mel Davis, the founding partner of the Davis Bozeman Johnson Law, is an African-Centered Civil Rights Attorney, Human Rights Organizer, and Author based in Atlanta. Davis Bozeman Johnson Law is one of Georgia’s largest African-American-owned law firms with offices in Savannah, Statesboro, and Decatur.

For nearly 30 years, he has been involved in building coalitions, organizing protests, and conducting training to support the Black Liberation Movement. He was a member of the historic “Durban 400” that participated in the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in South Africa, where colonialism and slavery were declared crimes against humanity. He played a key organizing role in ending “cash bonds” in Atlanta and the removal of the Confederate Monument in Decatur. He has intentionally developed youth empowerment programs as a co-founder of Let Us Make Man, The Black Man Lab, and Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights.

As an attorney, he has represented activists in the Occupy Movement, Moral Monday, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. He has represented victims of police brutality and community members falsely accused of crimes. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy, earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Bowie State University, and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. Mawuli was awarded the 2019 Ben Johnson Public Service Award by Georgia State University College of Law, which is the highest award the College of Law bestows. He has been named a Super Lawyer for ten consecutive years in Atlanta Magazine and received the Justice for All Award by Rolling Out Magazine. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).

Following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, he was one of the primary organizers for the march of over 5,000 protestors from the Atlanta University Center to CNN Headquarters. A photograph of this historic “Respect Black Life” March was captured in Ebony Magazine. Attorney Davis has had cases covered by various media outlets nationwide, including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, USA Today, New York Times, NPR Radio, CNN, TMZ, Time Magazine, and Worldstarhiphop. Attorney Davis’ diverse television appearances range from serving as a guest commentator on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer on CNN to representing recording artist Lil’ Scrappy on VH-1’s Love & Hip Hop.

Attorney Davis was awarded Father of the Year by Jack & Jill Inc. of Atlanta, Mentor of the Year by the Atlanta Alumni Association of Morehouse College, Father of Distinction by the Concerned Black Clergy, an Outstanding Advocate of the Year by the ACLU, Urban League, Southern Center for Human Rights, Gate City Bar Association, and National Black Prosecutors Association. The DeKalb Lawyers Association (DLA) named the Mawuli Davis Legal Warrior Award in his honor. He is a proud member of the Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and the DeKalb Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America. Attorney Davis serves on the boards of the Southern Center for Human Rights, Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute, Just-Georgia, and Walter Rodney Foundation.

Recently, Attorney Davis released his first book, We Need You!: Encouraging My Sons’ Generation for Black Liberation, published by Third World Press. Attorney Davis married his childhood sweetheart, activist-educator Jana Johnson-Davis. They have two sons, Kobie Jason and Khari Malcolm.

N/A

United States Naval Academy: Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.

Bowie State University: Obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration while serving as a U.S. Navy officer.

Georgia State University College of Law: Received his Juris Doctor degree. While at GSU, he was active in student leadership, serving as President of the Black Law Students Association and on the Executive Board of the National Black Law Students Association. He was also recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Founding Partner – Davis Bozeman Johnson Law
Co-founder of one of Georgia’s largest African-American-owned law firms.
Offices located in Savannah, Statesboro, and Decatur, Georgia.
Leads the firm in African-Centered civil rights and human rights legal work.

Civil Rights & Movement Lawyering
Nearly 30 years of coalition building, protest organizing, and training in support of the Black Liberation Movement.
Represented activists involved in major movements including: Occupy Movement, Moral Monday, Black Lives Matter
Defended victims of police brutality and those falsely accused of crimes.
Key legal and organizing roles in: Ending cash bonds in Atlanta, Removing the Confederate Monument in Decatur

National & International Advocacy
Member of the historic “Durban 400” delegation at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in South Africa.
Participated in the successful effort to declare colonialism and slavery as crimes against humanity.

Media & Public Commentary
Legal and social commentary featured on: CNN (including The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer); NPR, USA Today, Time Magazine, and more; Represented clients on VH-1’s Love & Hip Hop.

Author
Wrote the book “We Need You!: Encouraging My Sons’ Generation for Black Liberation”, published by Third World Press.

Community Organizer & Educator
Co-founder of: Let Us Make Man, The Black Man Lab, Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights
Organized large-scale actions such as the “Respect Black Life” March following George Zimmerman’s acquittal.

Board Memberships
Serves on boards of: Southern Center for Human Rights, Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute, Just-Georgia, Walter Rodney Foundation

Ben Johnson Public Service Award (2019)
Highest honor bestowed by Georgia State University College of Law.

Super Lawyer – Atlanta Magazine
Named a Super Lawyer for ten consecutive years.

Justice for All Award – Rolling Out Magazine

Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Awarded by the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).

Father of the Year – Jack & Jill Inc. of Atlanta

Mentor of the Year – Atlanta Alumni Association of Morehouse College

Father of Distinction – Concerned Black Clergy

Outstanding Advocate of the Year
Recognized by multiple organizations:
ACLU
Urban League
Southern Center for Human Rights
Gate City Bar Association
National Black Prosecutors Association

Mawuli Davis Legal Warrior Award
Named in his honor by the DeKalb Lawyers Association (DLA).

Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Proud member of this historic Black fraternity focused on achievement and service.

DeKalb Chapter of 100 Black Men of America
Member of the national organization committed to mentoring and uplifting Black youth.

Southern Center for Human Rights
Board member of this leading legal organization dedicated to human rights and criminal justice reform.

Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute
Board member supporting African-centered education.

Just-Georgia
Board member of this statewide coalition for justice reform.

Walter Rodney Foundation
Board member advancing the legacy of scholar-activist Dr. Walter Rodney.

National Media Outlets
Attorney Davis and his legal work have been featured in prominent national media, including:
CNN
USA Today
New York Times
NPR Radio
Time Magazine
TMZ
WorldStarHipHop
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC)
Tom Joyner Morning Show

Ebony Magazine
A photograph of the “Respect Black Life” March — which he helped organize following the acquittal of George Zimmerman — was featured in the magazine.

Television Appearances
Served as a guest commentator on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer on CNN.
Represented recording artist Lil’ Scrappy on VH-1’s Love & Hip Hop.

Atlanta Cash Bond Reform
Played a lead legal and organizing role in ending the use of cash bail in Atlanta for certain offenses—resulting in a systemic policy shift affecting thousands of low-income defendants.

Removal of Confederate Monument in Decatur, Georgia
Successfully contributed to the legal and community campaign that resulted in the removal of a prominent Confederate monument, a major legal and symbolic victory.

Representation of Falsely Accused Clients
Successfully defended community members falsely charged with crimes, though individual case outcomes are not detailed in the bio.

Police Brutality Cases
Represented victims in civil rights lawsuits involving police misconduct. Specific verdicts or settlements are not listed but are a central focus of his practice.

Defended Activists in the:
Occupy Movement
Moral Monday Movement
Black Lives Matter Movement

Represented Victims of Police Brutality
Provided legal support to individuals subjected to excessive force by law enforcement.

Defended Clients Falsely Accused of Crimes
Handled criminal defense cases involving wrongful arrests and racially motivated charges.

Key Legal Role in Ending Cash Bonds in Atlanta
Helped organize and legally support the movement to eliminate the cash bail system for low-level offenses.

Led Legal and Organizing Efforts for the Removal of the Confederate Monument in Decatur, Georgia

Legal Representation of Rapper Lil’ Scrappy
Provided legal counsel in cases featured on VH-1’s Love & Hip Hop.

Trainer and Organizer for Black Liberation Movement
For nearly 30 years, Attorney Davis has led trainings, coalition-building, and protest organizing across the U.S., focused on civil rights and youth empowerment.

United Nations World Conference Against Racism (Durban, South Africa)
Participated as a member of the historic “Durban 400”, contributing to the global declaration of colonialism and slavery as crimes against humanity.

March Organizer – “Respect Black Life” March (Atlanta)
Served as a primary organizer of a march of over 5,000 protestors from the Atlanta University Center to CNN Headquarters following the acquittal of George Zimmerman.
This march was captured in Ebony Magazine.

Frequent Media Commentator
Has spoken on national platforms including:
CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
Tom Joyner Morning Show
NPR Radio

Community Education & Empowerment
Co-founder and frequent speaker/facilitator for:
Let Us Make Man
The Black Man Lab
Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights

Book Title: We Need You!: Encouraging My Sons’ Generation for Black Liberation
Publisher: Third World Press
Description: This is Attorney Davis’s first published book, written as a message to his sons and their generation. It reflects his lifelong commitment to Black liberation, youth empowerment, and community activism.

Co-Founder – Let Us Make Man
A transformative program focused on the empowerment, education, and uplift of Black boys and men.

Co-Founder – The Black Man Lab
A safe, intergenerational space for Black men and boys to gather, learn, and build leadership and purpose.

Co-Founder – Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights
A grassroots organization dedicated to community organizing, racial justice, and education in Decatur, GA.

Board Member – Southern Center for Human Rights
Supports legal advocacy and reform in the criminal justice system.

Board Member – Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute
Supports African-centered education and cultural development for youth.

Board Member – Just-Georgia
Works to advance justice reform through coalition-building across Georgia.

Board Member – Walter Rodney Foundation
Promotes human rights education and the legacy of global justice advocate Dr. Walter Rodney.

Youth Empowerment & Mentorship
Mentored countless young people and received multiple honors for fatherhood and mentorship, including:

Mentor of the Year – Atlanta Alumni Association of Morehouse College

Father of the Year – Jack & Jill Inc. of Atlanta

Father of Distinction – Concerned Black Clergy