2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
Every year, we induct a new class of hall of famers. These individuals must be from or have impacted one of the SoFu cities dramatically, have a sense of hometown pride, and have some national acclaim.
For over five decades, Dr. Booker Poe provided pediatric care to many who were raised in what is now called the City of South Fulton. Hailing from Eustis, Ga, Booker Taliaferro Washington Poe, was a pioneering pediatrician, community leader, and tireless advocate for health equity. Booker attended Tennessee State University, where he graduated with honors in biology in 1957. He pledged the Beta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and continued his education at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, earning his M.D. in 1963. Dr. Poe served five years as a Captain in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Wichita Falls Air Force Base in Texas and later at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan. During this period, he wrote about the civil rights movement, met Muhammad Ali, and drafted an unpublished manuscript, A Black Man’s View of Muhammad Ali. He later completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital in Oakland, California. Dr. Poe played a pivotal role in health policy. He spearheaded the fight to establish the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program in Georgia, ensuring Medicaid patients could access preventive health services in private offices rather than only in public health centers. He also was instrumental in passing Georgia’s pediatric seat belt law and in defeating efforts to mandate statewide HMOs for Medicaid patients.
Through his leadership with the Atlanta Medical Association and Georgia State Medical Association, he chaired legislative breakfasts that evolved into the annual legislative dinners still held today. He also strengthened GSMA’s leadership structure to include physicians from small towns, ensuring equity within the organization.
Dr. Booker Poe (Posthumous), Legendary Pediatrician
Deidra Dukes brings more than 30 years of broadcast journalism experience to her role as a veteran reporter at FOX 5 Atlanta.
Known for her credibility and depth, she covers Georgia’s top news and political stories, with a focus on state and national politics.
She also serves as a fill-in moderator for the station’s weekly political program The Georgia Gang and has appeared nationally on FOX’s political news show Battleground.
Deidra is host and executive producer of the Emmy-nominated quarterly series Deidra Dukes Reports, which examines local and national issues beyond the headlines.
A California native, Deidra earned a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from California State University, Chico.
Her first on-air experience came in college, reporting for KCHO North State Public Radio.
She launched her television news career working at stations in the Redding and Fresno markets, before taking her talents to Pittsburgh to pursue the next chapter in her journalism career.
In 1998, she moved to Atlanta to join
WSB-TV and has been a fixture at FOX 5 Atlanta since 2005, covering the stories that matter most to Georgians.
Throughout her career in Atlanta, she has worked with several organizations including The Center for Black Women’s Wellness, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, the Junior League of Atlanta, and the American Red Cross Minority Recruitment Program.
Her work reflects a deep dedication to public service and community engagement.
She is an active member of The Links, Incorporated and the East Point College Park Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
While passionate about journalism, Deidra finds her greatest joy in being a parent to her son, Michael.
Deidra is a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in the City of South Fulton.
Deidra Dukes, Veteran Journalist and Anchor
Mildred "Millie" Jackson is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and former model known for her outspoken and provocative style. Beginning her career in the 1960s, she is recognized for her powerful vocals and the often humorous and sexually explicit spoken-word monologues within her songs.
She released her first album in 1972. In 1974 Jackson was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Some of her top hits include:
A Child of God (It's Hard to Believe)"
"Ask Me What You Want" (US: #27)
"My Man, A Sweet Man" (US: #42), (US R&B: #7) (UK: #50)
"Breakaway" (US: #110)
"It Hurts So Good" (US: #24), (US R&B: #3)
"(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" (US: #42)
Millie can be currently seen in Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix movie, “Joe's College Road Trip.” Millie Jackson has inspired a generation of singers who follow their hearts, believe it’s ok sometimes to “buck the system” and create from their souls.
