Check Out Bobby Howard’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobby Howard.

Hi Bobby, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I was an active youth engaged in various sports programs from football to hockey and was a star athlete in each. I had an insatiable love for sports, though it would be football that would not only fuel my passion but also open the door to receiving a full football scholarship to Indiana University, where I studied business administration. Propelled by my outstanding athletic ability, I would later be drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and play professional football with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 1993, my life changed forever when I suffered from severe kidney disease that would alter the trajectory of my life. The onset of this illness was seemingly contrary to any positive outcome. I was fortunate and received a life-saving kidney transplant. I would describe my time on dialysis and waiting for seven months as challenging and humbling. It was a blessing. I learned that even though I had been a football fan favorite I was no better than the next person.
During this time, I also coached high school football and kept active. After my kidney transplant I followed the regimen, and I was strict on what the medical staff told me to do. The coaching staff and players supported by taking me to games when I could not drive. After my transplant, my transplant surgeon and nephrologist suggested I apply to position at LifeLink of Georgia. He thought my personal experience and leadership skills would be a good fit.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
(this was answered in the previous question, but here is some additional information.) I have faithfully served in the following capacities: President of the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation, President of the Georgia Transplant Foundation, LifeLink® Foundation Board of Governors, Board Member of the United Network of Organ Sharing, and Board Member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. Staying true to my passion, I have also served as a football coach to several high schools in the Atlanta Metro area. I currently serve on the boards of Parent Miracles, President NFLPA Former Players Atlanta Chapter, and Metro Atlanta Concerned Black Clergy. I also serve as Chair of the National Multicultural Action Group.

Because of my work, I was identified as one of six exceptional community leaders across the country by Coors Light and named Atlanta’s Coors Light’s Ice-Cold Leader. I was awarded the Thomas F. Smith Leadership Award, Georgia Transplant Foundation Award, and inducted into Pittsburgh city High School Hall of Fame. In 2021, I was awarded the Clive Callendar, M.D. Circle of Excellence Award which honors candidates from the African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or Native American community who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made a meaningful impact within the field of organ, eye, and tissue donation or transplantation for communities of color. Most recently I was awarded the 2023 Diamond Award presented by The Not Alone Foundation. and was honored by the 2023 Georgia Legislative Black Caucus as the recipient of the Community Partner Award. I was also awarded the 2024 Outstanding Georgia Citizen from Georgia Secretary of State.

As an ambassador for life, I continue to be in high demand as a motivational speaker both nationally and locally. I have been featured in major media outlets such as USA Today, Jet Magazine, The Tavis Smiley Show, The Reverend Al Sharpton Show, The Ed Gordon Shows, TBN, Focus Atlanta, and Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasting – to name a few.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My role as Director of the Multicultural Donation Education Program (MDEP) at LifeLink of Georgia is one of outreach and advocate. As a director I am responsible for making sure my team educates the African American and Hispanic communities on the importance of becoming organ and tissue donors. We build relationships with community organizations, individuals, churches, companies, and businesses, We are involved in health fairs, building those relationships and getting involved where we can be a conduit and a bridge to really talk about not only organ and tissue donation, but healthy living.
Building relationships is the key for us. And because that allows people to trust what we do, they trust us as individuals. So that’s real key, and that’s the role that I play at LifeLink. In doing this and being in this position for the past 30 years now, the landscape has changed. Because of internet and social media, we have to be very cautious of how we disseminate our information.
We have to be on top of what’s being talked about and discussed in the communities. But we also must understand, believe and feel that our role as community educators is not to always ask for something from the community, but how can we meet the community where they are? My team and I strongly believe that every day is not an organ donation day. We have to be able to support the needs and the goals of those communities by providing other resources.
For example, you may have a community that wants to do a coat drive but they don’t have any clue how to do it. We use our resources to make that coat drive a reality. When you start providing access and other things to the community, that’s building that relationship and building trust. And then eventually we’re able to talk about organ donation and healthy living.
What I’m most proud of is the fact that we have changed the landscape. When I first started with LifeLink, our number of African American donors was a little over eight to 10%. Now we average every year about 35 to 40% of all our organ donors being from the African American community. So through hard work, dedication, education, and relationship building, we’ve seen the fruits of our labor.
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More than 3,000 people in Georgia are on the organ transplant waiting list. One organ, tissue, and eye donor can potentially save or improve the lives of more than 75 people. Over 63% of Georgians waiting on a kidney transplant list are African American.

Bobby has dedicated his life to helping others who face life-threatening health challenges by leading collaborative efforts for LifeLink® of Georgia with local, national coalitions, and community partners. He earned the Achievement Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the LifeLink mission.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
To leave a legacy and become an organ donor, go to mystorycontinues.com

Email address for more information: https://lifelinkfoundation.org/contact/
Phone number: 770-225-5465

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lifelinkfoundation.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifelinkga/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeLinkGA/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-howard-988128a/
• Twitter: https://x.com/LifeLinkGA/status/1916960789790941280
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LifeLinkGA
• Other: https://lifelinkfoundation.org/contact/