Ricky “Dip” Usher—widely known as The Mayor—is a respected humanitarian and subject matter expert in violence prevention, recognized for his transformative work in Mechanicsville and across the City of Atlanta. Since 2015, Dip has led several successful youth initiatives through Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation, including the Atlanta Teen Leaders Academy, which employs 100–150 teens each summer.

As an innovator in community-based violence intervention, Dip brings hands-on experience across multiple models that center on empowering trusted community members to serve as peace brokers. His work has been featured in The Economist and recognized by the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. His enduring impact is also honored locally in a community mural in Mechanicsville, where his story and service are memorialized.

Dip was spotlighted in Amnesty International’s Heroes Among Us campaign, which celebrates individuals making a frontline difference in their communities. Today, he serves as a Violence Intervention Specialist at Grady Memorial Hospital on the IVYY (Intervention of Violence in Youth and Young Adults) team, working directly with gun violence survivors to offer support, hope, and pathways to healing at their most vulnerable moments.

Most recently, Dip was selected as a Center for Civic Innovation Fellow and participated in the Safety and Justice Accelerator—programs that uplift grassroots leaders creating real impact in their neighborhoods. He is the Executive Director of Wii Care Atlanta, a nonprofit that trains community-rooted individuals in de-escalation, conflict mediation, and violence prevention. Known for its dynamic community events and hands-on approach, Wii Care Atlanta continues to be a driving force for peace and transformation in Atlanta.