Mission
The Dr. Georgia Mae Project
The Dr. Georgia Mae Project honors the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Georgia Mae—barrier-breaking educator, visionary leader, and dynamic storyteller.
Dr. Georgia Mae thrived with breast cancer for 32 years, but she was so much more than her battle with breast cancer. She was the first woman, first Black and the youngest Superintendent of Compton Unified School District. She was also the first woman, Black and youngest Director of Military Schools for the Department of Defense (Atlantic and Germany Regions), and an educator who saw people for their full potential. She captured hearts with her voice, her stories, and her dramatic presence—gifts that would have made her a celebrated storyteller in any generation.
Through our 501(c)(3), we carry forward her legacy by:
Championing Breast Cancer and Neurodivergent Awareness Raising awareness of breast cancer and neurodivergent youth honors Dr. Georgia Mae's dual legacy—as a breast cancer survivor who thrived for 32 years and as the biggest supporter and champion of her oldest grandson who is on the autism spectrum.
Through narrative films: One Night in LA follows an African American Literature Professor, mother of three, and wife of an NBA executive who decides what really matters in life when her breast cancer returns. The film premiered at the Essence Film Festival and Pan African Film Festival. In the sequel Every Night in LA (feature film), her husband must examine what really matters as he learns to see his autistic son's extraordinary musical gift instead of forcing him to replicate an athletic legacy he never wanted. Meanwhile, Crystal, the mom, navigates another cancer recurrence while advocating for her son's autism diagnosis as the family reaches a breaking point. Don't Quit: To Thine Own Self Be True (short film) chronicles Dr. Georgia Mae's remarkable journey from surviving tuberculosis as a teenager in 1950s Georgia to becoming the first African American woman Director of DoD Military Schools, while battling cancer across three continents and never once quitting on herself. Georgia Mae Project Documentary shares stories about the journeys of women of color as they face-down, overcome, survive, and thrive with breast cancer.
Producing Films That Matter We create cinema where breast cancer survivors and neurodivergent individuals are centered in the narratives—not as side stories or inspiration, but as fully realized characters navigating love, loss, ambition, family, and the beautiful complexity of life. Our films raise awareness and celebrate resilience through authentic storytelling that honors the lived experiences of those facing breast cancer and neurodivergence, while showcasing the untold stories of trailblazers like Dr. Georgia Mae herself.
Empowering Georgia Mae Writers We nurture a collective where marginalized voices craft the essential stories our world needs to hear, honoring Dr. Georgia Mae's belief in every person's full potential and her own gift for moving audiences.
The Dr. Georgia Mae Project is where education, entertainment, and empowerment meet—because the woman who broke barriers deserves a legacy that does the same.
We Believe
We believe that ALL women deserve excellent care when diagnosed with breast cancer—care that listens, believes them the first time, and honors their lived experiences. Dr. Georgia Mae had to lay on a hospital floor and demand doctors find what was wrong after being dismissed repeatedly. No woman should have to fight that hard just to be heard.
We believe that Black women's breast cancer mortality rate being 42% higher than other women is unacceptable, and that awareness through powerful storytelling can save lives.
We believe that neurodivergent young adults deserve meaningful opportunities in the entertainment industry and beyond—not as an afterthought, but as valued contributors whose unique perspectives enrich every production.
We believe in the power of storytelling to shift perspectives, open hearts, and create lasting change. Narrative films centered on breast cancer survivors and neurodivergent youth don't just entertain—they educate, inspire, and transform communities.
We believe that marginalized voices hold the essential stories our world needs to hear, and that when we create space for those stories, we honor the legacy of barrier-breakers like Dr. Georgia Mae.
We believe that education, entertainment, and empowerment aren't separate pursuits—they're interwoven threads in the fabric of meaningful change.
Our Organization
Dr. Georgia Mae didn't just survive breast cancer—she thrived with it for 32 years while shattering barriers and rising to become Director of Military Schools for the Department of Defense, Atlantic and Germany Regions. Diagnosed at 34, over 50 years ago, she had to lay on a Detroit hospital floor and demand doctors find what was wrong after being sent home repeatedly. From that moment of self-advocacy, she built a legacy of breaking barriers as the first woman, first Black, and youngest Superintendent of Compton Unified School District, and the first woman, first Black, and youngest Director of DoD Military Schools. She was an educator who saw people for their full potential, a dynamic storyteller who captured hearts, and a fierce champion—especially for her oldest grandson on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Georgia Mae didn't just survive breast cancer—she thrived with it for 32 years while shattering barriers and rising to become Director of Military Schools for the Department of Defense, Atlantic and Germany Regions. Diagnosed at 34, over 50 years ago, she had to lay on a Detroit hospital floor and demand doctors find what was wrong after being sent home repeatedly. From that moment of self-advocacy, she built a legacy of breaking barriers as the first woman, first Black, and youngest Superintendent of Compton Unified School District, and the first woman, first Black, and youngest Director of DoD Military Schools. She was an educator who saw people for their full potential, a dynamic storyteller who captured hearts, and a fierce champion—especially for her oldest grandson on the autism spectrum.
The Georgia Mae Project is founded by Dr. Georgia Mae's only daughter, award-winning filmmaker MeMe Kelly. Witnessing her mother thrive with breast cancer for over three decades while also championing her neurodivergent son shaped MeMe's mission: to refuse the unacceptable reality that Black women die from breast cancer at rates 42% higher than other women, and to create a world where neurodivergent young adults are valued for their extraordinary gifts. Like her mother, MeMe believes stories have the power to save lives. Through narrative films that center breast cancer survivors and neurodivergent individuals as whole, complex people—with authentic health narratives and advocacy woven into their ambitions, relationships, and dreams—GMP shifts perspectives, opens hearts, and creates tangible change. But the work extends far beyond the screen—GMP honors the fullness of Dr. Georgia Mae's life by creating meaningful employment for young adults on the autism spectrum on GMP films, empowering marginalized writers to craft the essential stories our world needs, and building a legacy rooted in resilience, transformation, and the fierce courage to live authentically.
GMP is supported by a board deeply connected to Dr. Georgia Mae's legacy: Connie Ennix, retired educator with the Department of Defense Educational Activity Military Schools, who knew Dr. Georgia Mae for nearly 50 years; Dr. Beverly S. Alcott, Ph.D., retired DoD Military Schools educator who worked alongside Dr. Georgia Mae for over 25 years; Kim Ennix, accomplished aerospace engineer who knew Dr. Georgia Mae for over 50 years; Dr. Kelly King, M.D., renowned medical doctor who has known Dr. Georgia Mae's family for close to 50 years; and Dr. Georgia Mae's grandson, R Kelly Jr., a brilliant young man and autism advocate who adored his grandmother and serves as advisor to the nonprofit.
Together, we carry forward a legacy where education, entertainment, and empowerment meet—because the woman who broke barriers deserves a legacy that does the same.
GMP is supported by a board deeply connected to Dr. Georgia Mae's legacy: Connie Ennix, retired educator with the Department of Defense Educational Activity Military Schools, who knew Dr. Georgia Mae for nearly 50 years; Dr. Beverly S. Alcott, Ph.D., retired DoD Military Schools educator who worked alongside Dr. Georgia Mae for over 25 years; Kim Ennix, accomplished aerospace engineer who knew Dr. Georgia Mae for over 50 years; Dr. Kelly King, M.D., renowned medical doctor who has known Dr. Georgia Mae's family for close to 50 years; and Dr. Georgia Mae's grandson, R Kelly Jr., a brilliant young man and autism advocate who adored his grandmother and serves as advisor to the nonprofit.
Together, we carry forward a legacy where education, entertainment, and empowerment meet—because the woman who broke barriers deserves a legacy that does the same.
Take Action
Help us Find Solutions to Breast Cancer Treatment Inequities.