Leading Georgia: A Podcast About Communities in Action

Marilynn Winn, Formerly incarcerated, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Women on the Rise GA, a grassroots organization led by formerly incarcerated women of color to reduce the number of women under correctional control in the state of Georgia. JLUSA 2016 Fellow, Co-Chair of the Reimaging ACDC City of Atlanta Taskforce to close and repurpose the Atlanta City Detention Center, serves on the Board of Directors of First Step Staffing of Atlanta, serves on the Board of SCHR, Served as Co-Chair of Board of Directors of 9to5 Atlanta Working Women, received 1st Lilly Ledbetter Award, Initiated history making Ban the Box Campaign in Georgia. Instrumental in President Obama issuing an Executive Order to Ban the Box on federal employment applications. In collaboration with Solutions Not Punishment instrumental in passing legislation in City of Atlanta and Fulton County to implement a two-year pilot program “Atlanta Fulton County Pre-Arrest Diversion Initiative,” instrumental in winning history making legislation to reclassify marijuana legislation to a non-arrest offense for less than an ounce of marijuana with a minimum fine of $75.00 and in the City of Atlanta just recently in collaboration with key players won Bail Reform legislation. Initiator and visionary of current campaign “Community Over Cages” #Close the Jail ATL a campaign that will close the Atlanta City Detention Center and repurpose the facility into a Wellness, Equity and Freedom Center that would ensure our community services not handcuffs, jobs not jails. May 28, 2019 Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed legislation to close and repurpose the Atlanta City Detention Center. June 12, 2020 Invited to participate in a conversation with members of the Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force on Criminal Justice Reform. Take the survey to see the vision I have for an alternative to the jail. https://designingjustice.typeform.com/to/JCtYAjo0

Rhonda Watson is a detail oriented, well organized professional with experience in non-profit, multi-family real estate, and family medical practice fields and a proven track record of developing and implementing process improvements. She is a partnered (for 23 years) mother of one daughter, two dogs, and five cats. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology where she was elected to serve as President of Psi Chi and the Association of Psychology Students her senior year. She was also named Outstanding Undergraduate Psychology Student by faculty and peers. The impact of Rhonda’s personal encounter with Stage III ovarian cancer resonates years after her diagnosis and has reignited her determination to make a meaningful difference in the world, especially where her young daughter is concerned. It has become her life’s work to ensure that her daughter is not only exposed to a diverse array of wildlife and experiences but also to make volunteerism and activism a way of life. Rhonda believes that by doing so she will achieve her greatest mission in life – to make the world a better place for not only her daughter but also for future generations. Currently, Rhonda serves the local community in a volunteer role as President of PFLAG Woodstock. Though she was laid off in May 2020 due to the COVID epidemic, she remains active and busy even as she seeks employment. Her most recent employer was the American Cancer Society*. Her commitment to this organization was reflected in her volunteer activity. From 2009 to 2019, Rhonda served a variety of voluntary committee roles: Luminaria Chair, Volunteer Chair, Logistics Chair and day of volunteer for the DeKalb/Adams Relay For Life** Committee. In this capacity, she has worked with over 2,000 volunteers, many cancer survivors and their caregivers, and others who have been impacted by cancer in some way. She has served the American Cancer Society as a Change Champion for an enterprise-wide organizational transformation, a Welcome Ambassador for new employees, and as a Co-Lead for the LGBTQ+Allies Employee Engagement Group. In addition to her Relay For Life volunteer activities, Rhonda has also volunteered numerous hours at the Save the Horses horse rescue located in Cumming, Georgia. It was through the course of this volunteer work Rhonda began to comprehend the magnitude of the giant that she faced and how profoundly her life has changed as a result of a journey she never intended to take. It is this passion and commitment that Rhonda brings to her role as President of PFLAG Woodstock. *The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. **Relay For Life is a community-based event sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer, to honor cancer survivors, and to remember those who we have lost.

Ashley is a professional coach, management consultant, artist, and general jill of all trades. She is intent on helping create a world full of self-aware leaders who experience deep intimacy in their lives and claim powerful agency with their choices. Ashley has been a leader in a variety of industries, including education, the non-profit world, software development, and business consulting. As a coach, she infuses all of her work with a focus on fulfillment and purpose. As an artist, she harnesses her own and others' creativity to unleash what is deeply true and useful and beautiful. As a person, she shows up fully.

Ashley N. Keyes is a Georgia grown chef with a passion for feeding families! Since 2010 Chef Keyes has been assisting the Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.) with cooking demonstrations and summer camps. At the same time, she completed her studies and graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. In year 2013 she was selected to participate in a 4 month hospitality and culinary internship at Disney Corporation in Florida. Shortly thereafter, Chef Keyes became the Operations Manager for The Atlanta Bread Company kiosk operated by CAMM Concessions at the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport. Never slowing down, she is also the owner of Keyes in the Kitchen, a boutique catering company that specializes in creating healthy recipes for corporate and family events. Help us “Live on Purpose”. We need 100 followers to establish our organization and be able to give back to the people in the community that needs help. If you have the @Purposity app, simply just follow CHOICES. If you’re new to the movement, go to www.purposity.com to download the free app > search Atlanta > then follow CHOICES. #choices4kids #communitygiveback #helpthyneighbor #kindness #liveonpurpose

At the age of 15 Stacy felt called to work with teenagers and God has affirmed that ever since. From her time working at the Boys and Girls Club and church youth groups to her current role at Goshen Valley, Stacy has been focused on caring for and ministering to at risk adolescents. After college graduation, Stacy moved to South Africa on a two-year mission working with adolescents, many of whom were orphans, undocumented or extremely impoverished. Her role was to assist in bible studies, community organization and life skills instruction. Upon her return to Georgia, she married her husband of 11 years, Brad, and moved to Cherokee County where she worked with high school dropouts assisting them with GED completion and obtaining employment. In 2013, Stacy felt called to join Goshen Valley. For many years, she had heard children say that they did not want to end up like their parents, but then watched as they ended up repeating the cycle. Goshen Valley was an agency where kids could learn the little day-to-day decisions it takes to actually be different! At Goshen, they learn these behaviors from houseparents who model what it means to love Jesus, each other, and the boys in their homes. During her time at Goshen Valley, capacity has increased from 29 to 46 youth, GVBR has developed a trauma informed methodology to care, and therapeutic programming for youth has increased by 200%. Stacy is a graduate of Berry College where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Family Studies. She is TBRI, Impact and Safety Care Certified.

Mayor Donnie Henriques Donnie Henriques was the first to serve as a City Council Member for Ward 6 upon its creation in 1999. He served as a City Council Member from January 2000 through December 2003. Mayor Henriques was elected in 2005 to serve his first term as Mayor. He will begin his fourth consecutive term as Mayor on January 1, 2018 and serve through December 31, 2021. Public Service Biography His first love is the senior citizen community. He’s been a vital part of the growth of the William G. Long Senior Center by offering his time, compassion, and expertise. Personal and Professional He and his wife, Dr. Jan Henriques have three children and three grandchildren. Mayor Henriques retired from Northside Hospital-Cherokee in Community Relations. BS degree in HRT / business management LSU of New Orleans 1979 US Air Force 1970 to 1974 Vietnam Veteran In January 2008 he received the Bronze Certificate in the National League of Cities Certificate of Achievement in Leadership Program. 10 years of hospitality management 20 years of sales / sales management Born in New Orleans, LA Moved to Georgia in 1990 Moved to Woodstock in 1993 Memberships & Committees Kiwanis Past President Optimist Club of Towne Lake Served on Volunteer Aging Council for Seven Years Served as Member of the Cherokee County Planning Commission in 2004 Member of the Cherokee County Board of Health Member of the National League of Cities Member of the Georgia Municipal Association Member of Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Proud Member of Post 316, Woodstock American Legion Member of the Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta Five-Year Member of CASA Board of Directors Serves as One of Two Mayors on the Area Six All Hazards Team (Area Six is all of West Central and NW Georgia) Served on Transportation Committee for the Georgia Municipal Association Served on Atlanta Regional Commission from 2012-2013 Mayor Henriques has served on numerous fund raising committees for nonprofit organizations such as CASA, Anna Crawford Children’s Center, Meals Fur Pets and the Volunteer Aging Council.

Mattie Small is the chair of Cherokee County African American Caucus and a Silver Life Member of the NAACP. She is a small business owner, free lance writer, author and weight coach. She is a resident of Woodstock, GA. She loves to travel and volunteer as a community activist. Email: caucus@cherokeeaac.com Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/cherokeeaac

Reverend Dr. Joseph Nathaniel Cousin, Sr., (D.Min.) was born on June 21, 1973, the fifth son of Bishop Philip and Mrs. Margaret Joan Cousin. Reverend Cousin has four brothers, Philip Jr., Steven, David, and Michael all of which are pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Cousin is married to the former Carisalyn Nicole Williams and they have one beautiful daughter Miriam Joy and one son Joseph Nathaniel, Jr. Reverend Cousin graduated from Hampton University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. In 1998, he graduated from The Boston University School of Theology with a Master of Divinity Degree. Reverend Cousin also holds a Doctoral Degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. He has also done further study at Oxford University, in Oxford England in conjunction with the Oxford Round Table. Additionally, in 2009, Reverend Cousin was blessed to represent emerging African American leaders in Israel, through an endeavor sponsored by Project Interchange and the American Jewish Committee. Reverend Cousin has also served on the General Board of The AME Church, as Vice-Chair of the Credentials Committee of the General Conference for both the 2012 and 2016 sessions, as a member of the General Conference Commission, and as the Dean and Chair of the Board Of Examiners Of The Michigan Annual Conference. Reverend Cousin began his pastoral ministry in 1997, at Bethel A.M.E. Church, in Schenectady, New York. He was later appointed to Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. After a fruitful tenure at Mount Zion, he was appointed to Morris Brown A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In November 2004, he was appointed to Bethel A.M.E. Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During his tenure at Bethel God blessed the church with many accomplishments: In June of 2017, after serving almost 13 years with the Bethel Ann Arbor Church Family, Pastor Cousin was appointed to lead The Allen Temple Woodstock. Since arriving at Allen Temple, the Lord has blessed Dr. Cousin tremendously through both church growth and through community involvement. Among the mire notable achievements is the establishment of the Cherokee County chapter of the NAACP. Pastor Cousin is humbled and honored to serve the marvelous people of Allen Temple, and believes that God has many more wonderful blessings in store—and that God will allow him to continue the great vision and legacy that God has instilled within the church. Pastor Cousin believes that the best is yet to come, and is extremely excited about what is doing—and going to do. Pastor Cousin finds joy in preaching, teaching, and providing multi-faceted ministries for God’s people, and is truly blessed as God continues to smile upon and bless his ministry.

Bill Grant is President and Chief Creative Officer of Grant Design Collaborative in Canton, GA. His firm’s cross-discipline work includes communication design, brand strategy, advertising, product development, branded interiors and experience design. He was named an AIGA Fellow in 2005 and was the first designer from the South to serve as National President of AIGA, Professional Association for Design, from 2005-07. In recent years, Graphic Design USA named Bill One of the 50 Most Influential Designers Working Today. Bill Grant was born and raised in Dalton, GA and was the first person in his family to attend college. He graduated Sum Cum Laude with a BA in English and Psychology from Berry College. Grant also assisted in curriculum development and earned a Professional Certificate from the Harvard Business School’s “Business Perspectives for Design Leaders.” Grant’s work has been featured and honored by AIGA Communication Graphics, Communication Arts, Print, ID, STEP, HOW, Graphis, Metropolis, New York Type Director’s Club, Graphic Design:usa, Graphic Design America, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, and Interior Design magazine, among others. Grant Design Collaborative has received multiple IIDA Creative Excellence Awards for showroom design. Grant has served as a judge for numerous design competitions and is a frequent speaker at international design and business conferences. In addition to design, Bill is a dedicated public servant in his local community of Canton, Georgia. He was elected to the Canton City Council in 2013 and 2017 and also served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2014-2019. Grant was elected Mayor of the City on Canton in 2019 for a four-year term, 2020-2024.

Leading Georgia: A Podcast About Communities in Action, will focus on community leaders. Interviews will focus on the person, their organization, and what we can do to chip in, right here at home.