It was a full house at the Oswald Durant Center as five individuals were honored Nov. 18 with the Men of Courage Lifetime Achievement Award.

Founded in 2013 by local boxer Anthony Suggs Sr., the event celebrated the service and mentorship to the youth of the City of Alexandria.

“The Men of Courage Award is an idea that came to my mind when thinking on the countless individuals who made a positive impact in my life and countless other lives,” Suggs said. “Those men have held influential positions in the City of Alexandria and surrounding areas and have invested time and effort in shaping the character of youth and young people in the community.”

The 2023 honorees include Pastor James Gibson, Pastor Elwood Jones, APD Officer Bennie L. Evans Jr., Michael Johnson and Jeffrey “Steady” Johnson. Keynote speaker was Dawud Rawlings, a longtime ACPS and recreation department employee. Also on hand were past honorees including former NFL player Ratcliff Thomas.

Suggs, a local boxing legend, was on track to make the 1988 U.S. Olympic team before drugs and jail torpedoed his career in the ring. In 1987, Suggs was a five time Golden-Gloves Champion, National Golden Glove Finalist, Golden Gloves Outstanding Boxer of the year and Olympic Festival Gold Medalist Amateur boxer which ranked him #1 in the country and #4 in the world by the USA Amateur Boxing Federation.

As an amateur, Suggs won 138 matches, 116 of which were knockouts. He lost only 12 times. He shares his life story as a cautionary tale in his book “Da Beast Within -- Still the Champ.”

In recent years he has devoted his work to the community, which includes honoring the Men of Courage who have been positive youth role models.

His efforts throughout the region were recognized Oct. 29 when he received the Presidential Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award at Harvest Assembly Baptist Church.

“I try to use my life story to help others,” Suggs said. “I am a testimony that you don't have to stay down and even if you keep getting knocked down, keep getting up, keep the faith and never stop fighting until you get it right.”