Marsalis Hammons, a Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs student pursuing a Master of Urban Planning and Development, was selected as the recipient of the Community Service Award presented by the Elyria Unit of the NAACP at their 66th Anniversary Freedom Fund and Scholarship Gala on October 2, 2021. Hammons is the founder of Leaders of Today Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide Elyria and Lorain high school students with tools and resources to promote positive leadership in the classroom and beyond. An article by The Morning Journal says he is grateful for the honor. "In undergrad, I was challenged about what the NAACP stood for and it inspired me to minor in black studies,” he said. "So to be here today is nothing short of amazing and a testament of God's work.” Hammons said he is now pursuing his master's degree from Levin in order to impact Lorain County. "We have to understand that we can't just look at the people but also take into consideration the environment they're in,” he said. "I feel like my degree can help me make that transformation.”