Amir Jamal Touré, J.D., instructor of Africana Studies at Savannah State University (SSU), was recognized by two state legislative bodies on Tuesday, February 26.

At the morning session of the Georgia State Senate, Touré received the Outstanding Georgia Citizen award from the Georgia Secretary of State. He was nominated by State Senator Lester Jackson for the award, which is given to Georgians who go above and beyond in their dedication to the well-being of the state, and which reads in part: “May this Outstanding Citizen be afforded every courtesy as a Goodwill Ambassador from Georgia in his travels to other states, to nations beyond the borders of the United States of America, or wherever he may hereafter travel or reside.”

At an evening ceremony, Touré accepted a Soldier of Justice award from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. The honor is given to those that develop remedies for social and economic problems within their community and on behalf of the state of Georgia. Touré is one of the recipients based on his regional, national, and international work in the areas of history, culture, preservation and socio-economic empowerment.

Touré is an expert in African and Gullah/Geechee history and culture. He is the founder of Day Clean Journeys, an African-American history tour company that runs throughout coastal Georgia and South Carolina, and the resident scholar at Geechee Kunda, a history museum and cultural center in Riceboro, Georgia, that chronicles Gullah/Geechee life.