Dr. Jimmy Morris, Jr.
By Hazel Scott/ASU
In recognition of his tireless efforts to build healthier communities, Dr. Jimmy Morris, Jr., a former Golden Ambassador of Alabama State University, will receive the the 2024 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from U.S. President Joe Biden. The award will be presented during a 2025 awards gala in Georgia.
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the nation’s highest honors, bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to volunteer service and have made extraordinary contributions to their communities and the nation. Recipients of this prestigious award have devoted their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable, demonstrating unwavering courage and leadership to effect meaningful change in their communities and beyond, leaving a legacy that inspires future generations. As the highest level of recognition within the President’s Volunteer Service Award program, this honor reflects a lifetime of impactful service and dedication.
“I am deeply honored to receive the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President Biden. It has caused me to reflect on one of my core beliefs: that our true worth is defined by how we use our lives to uplift and improve the lives of others,” said Morris.
Morris’s legacy is defined by his multifaceted impact as a visionary entrepreneur, dynamic motivational speaker, strategic business coach, skilled management negotiator, passionate advocate for rare diseases, and a fighter for fellow warriors like himself.
“I am dedicated to leveraging my platform to empower others, drive meaningful change, and leave a lasting, positive imprint on the world,” he added.
A Leader in His Community
Through his philanthropy and mentorship, Morris has dedicated his career to developing, implementing, and demonstrating the long-term impact of volunteerism. He actively serves his community by volunteering with organizations such as the Advisory Board for the Prattville Baptist Hospital and the Brantwood Children’s Home. Morris is a certified Hospital Trustee for the Alabama Hospital Association and a former Board President for the Habitat for Humanity chapters in Autauga and Chilton Counties. He was recognized in the 2008 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. In addition, he is a member of several professional organizations and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
As the vice chairman of the Alabama State University Foundation Board, Morris is deeply committed to alumni engagement and advancement initiatives, embodying the spirit of the HBCU community.
As CEO of Morris Builders, LLC, a construction company based in Prattville, Alabama, he is dedicated to helping women in the construction field shatter glass ceilings and stereotypes, enabling them to build successful careers in the industry.
Morris’s legacy is profoundly shaped by his roles as an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, business coach, and management negotiator.
“I am committed to using my platform to inspire others and to make a positive difference in the world,” he added.
Accolades and Community Service
Earlier this month, Morris received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Alabama State University for his outstanding contributions to community engagement. In 2024, he was inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Legacy of Leaders by the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation. Additionally, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey appointed him to the Architecture & Construction Technical Advisory Committee for the state.
Throughout his career, Morris has received numerous accolades, including recognition in Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities in 2008. In 2019, he was honored with the 50 Under 50 Distinguished Alumni Award from Alabama State University. He was named one of the Top 20 Under 40 Young Executive Leaders by the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce in 2020 and 2021, he was included in the 40 Under 40 list for Commercial Construction by the Alabama Associated General Contractors Association. In 2024, he was recognized as a Man of Excellence by the Salute Selma Foundation and inducted into the Legacy Leader Hall of Fame by the National Black College Foundation. Morris is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and serves on several professional boards and organizations.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Education from Alabama State University, an M.B.A. with a concentration in Project Management from Columbia Southern University, and is a graduate of Babson College's Goldman Sachs program. He received a Doctor of Ministry from North Central Theological Seminary, and is working toward completing his Doctor of Business Administration from Walden University.