Georgia School of Orthodontics Commits $8.5 Million to Establish John Lewis Legacy Scholarships
Historic Partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation Will Support 141 Orthodontic Residents Over 12 Years
ATLANTA (April 3, 2025) — The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) announced the creation of the John Lewis Legacy Scholarships, an $8.5 million initiative honoring the late Congressman John Lewis. The historic program, developed in partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, will provide scholarships to 141 orthodontic residents over 12 years, beginning August 2025 with the first cohort of three recipients.
The scholarship program pays tribute to Lewis’s lifelong dedication to justice, equality and education.
“It’s humbling to know that GSO has been entrusted to carry on Rep. John Lewis’ legacy. We take the responsibility of upholding his legacy of courage, justice and service very seriously,” said Christopher M. Lazzara, co-founder and trustee of the Georgia School of Orthodontics. “This is the start of a special partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation.”
Detria Everson, president and CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, expressed gratitude for GSO’s commitment, “We are grateful to the Georgia School of Orthodontics for their very generous commitment to the John Lewis Legacy Scholarships. More than 140 dentists will benefit from this program.”
“Rep. John Lewis was one of the first of many members of the Congressional Black Caucus to support them at their inception in 2015,” Everson added. “Dr. Lazzara, Chris’ father, showed that access to education and opportunity would provide options for a brighter future.”
Everson also highlighted that the partnership will include educational programming and civil rights tours for ALL orthodontic residents, ensuring that Lewis’s values resonate throughout their training.
The announcement was made as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony for GSO’s newly established Lazzara Orthodontic Research Center, where much of the training on the Lewis’ legacy will take place.
The inaugural recipients of the John Lewis Legacy Scholarship will begin the program in August after completing dental school.
They include:
- Keandra Stewart from Atlanta (Tufts University)
- Alyse Pearson-Bryant from Atlanta (Meharry Medical College)
- Dominique Douglas from Sunrise, Florida (Tufts University)
The scholarship program offers each recipient $180,000 over three years. It will expand annually, with four scholarships awarded to the Class of 2028 and five scholarships for each subsequent class beginning with the Class of 2029.
Since its 2016 accreditation, GSO has graduated 132 certified orthodontists — more than 10% of the nation’s graduates — while providing care to more than 12,000 patients who may otherwise lack access, embodying Congressman Lewis’s vision for a more equitable society.
The naming of these scholarships honors Congressman Lewis as a champion of justice, equality, and opportunity, while inspiring future generations to embody his values. Beyond alleviating financial burdens for recipients, the scholarships will serve as a perpetual reminder of the transformative power of education and community service.
The scholarships aim to alleviate financial burdens for residents while inspiring future generations to embody Lewis’s values of service and leadership.
“This is the start of a special partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation. I am particularly thankful for all of the work Detria Everson has done to make this possible.”
“His life was a testament to the idea that collective action and dedication to a higher purpose can change lives, and GSO is honored to continue his work in its own capacity,” Lazzara added.
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About the Georgia School of Orthodontics
The Georgia School of Orthodontics is dedicated to advancing orthodontic education while serving communities in need. By equipping residents with world-class training and fostering a spirit of service, GSO embodies Congressman John Lewis’s belief in collective action for a brighter future.
About the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation
The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, Inc. was conceived by Congressman Lewis to carry on his and his wife’s passion for purposeful living, civic engagement and building the “beloved community,” and to inspire and support Good Trouble.
Contacts (for Interview Requests, B-Roll, Pictures)
Georgia School of Orthodontics
Lesley Gamwell, Rountree Group, lgamwell@rountreegroup.com | 404-309-6915
John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation
Neil Parekh, Digimentors, neil@digimentors.group | 206-370-0058
Background Documents
Detria Everson’s Prepared Remarks (April 3, 2025)
Letter of Support from Congressional Black Caucus (July 29, 2015)
About the Lazzara Family (founders of the Georgia School of Orthodontics)
Distribution of Scholarship Funds / Number of Residents (2025-2036)
As a nation, if we care for the Beloved Community, we must move our feet, our hands, our hearts, our resources to build and not tear down, to reconcile and not to divide, to love and not to hate.
