By: Gregory Lewis Staff Writer. South Florida Sun - Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale

Essie "Big Mama" Reed, the northwest Fort Lauderdale woman who has virtually adopted children in her neighborhood and steered them from trouble, is being honored this week in Atlanta at the 17th National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community.

The conference, which opens today and goes through Saturday, is a collaborative effort sponsored by Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth and Georgia Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker to address issues relating to the disproportionate number of blacks in the criminal justice system.

"He was impressed with her and what she's accomplished," said Trisha Spillan, a spokeswoman for Butterworth. "The award is given to an outstanding individual who has been able to turn around the lives of children. Essie Reed has done that and is deserving of recognition."

Reed has spent 13 years pulling teenagers -- about 500 neighborhood kids -- off streets and and away from drugs, violence and prostitution.

She says she does it by showing her children love and how to love themselves. She gives them support and attention that many have never experienced before meeting her.

Reed said she was "stunned" to be getting an award.
"I am a person who gives, so to receive something is shocking," she said.