Women's Month Edition Hello Savannah March 2023 Magazine

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SUMMARY 07. Vanessa t ay lo r 08. D e b b ie Jo hnso n 10. W il lie Dean Fr azier 12. C h a rle na Br ow n 14. Nat a ly n B at es M orris 16. Past or Joyc e C . Ha ll 17. D r . Ann Le vi tt 18. Reb ec c a t anner R u ssell 19. D iana Har v ey Jo h nson 21. L il ian gr ant -b aptiste 22. We nd y Bu lle ns 23. Pa tr i c i a Harr i s 24. Betty Jones 25. ANne Allen Westbrook 26. Dr Tonia Howard-hall 27. S h a le na C ook-Jon es 28. C o co Gu thri e -P ap y 29. S o nya jac ks on 30. s a bri ya s c ott 31.A l d er w om e n Ali c ia Mil l er B lakel y, B ernetta Bryant Lani e r, & Kesha G ib son Carter

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33. d elore s sc re e n daniels 34. f l au jae Johnson 35. Q U ee n Qu e t 36. a mbri a be r kste iner 37. g a b r i e lle ne lson 38. L i sa ru nd strom 39. v a u ghne tte goode-wal ker 40. T a m m y S toke s 41.

T a m m y mos le y 40 42. We slyn " M ahogany" B owers 43. J u li a P e arc e .

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C elebr a ting women' s Hi s t or y M o nth a nd the w omen w ho ar e c h anging the w or ld locally WELCOME CONTENT March 2023 This is the third edition of Hello Savannah and we cannot thank you enough for celebrating Savannah's rich women's history and how we can move our community forward. Thank you to all of the contributors.

President and Chief Executive Officer - Julius Hall Executive Editor- Chantaye McLaughin Managing Editor Natalie Leggette Senior Editor Leonora Bogus Contributing Writers Robert Bryant, Ph.D., Scott Lorenza, Chantaye Mc Laughlin, Leonora Bogus, Christopher Smith, C.J. Smith, Ph.D., Dr. Amir Toure' Advertising Director: Natalie Leggette Director of Information Technology: Christopher Smith

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06

Vanessa Taylor

Comm un i ty A cti v i st Wh o said So ci a l M e d i a I s n ’ t Th e N e w s? W e l l , V a n e ssa Ta y l or i s s ho wi ng th e worl d what o n e wo ma n c a n d o w i t h a c a m e r a a n d a p a ssi on f o r her co mm un i ty a n d he r pe o p l e . G o a n y w h e r e t o a n e v e n t i n Ch a tham C o unty and parts o f No rth Ge or g i a , a n d i f y ou d on ’t se e V a n e ssa T ayl o r there, the n i t’ s pro ba bl y n ot n e w sw or t h y . I n S a v a n n a h / Ch a tham C o unty sh e ’ s o n e v e ry s ce n e r e p or t i n g v i a soc i a l m e d i a , a l l t h e i m po rt ant events tha t s ho ul d ma tte r t o ou r c om m u n i t y . I n t h e A t l a n t a / N o rt h G eorgia ar e a , s he ’ s co n n e cte d t o J u n e t e e n t h A t l a n t a , a n d t o b i g st ars i n th e mu s i c a n d f i l m i n d us t r y , h e r fa v or i t e b e i n g M r . Lou G osse t t Jr himself . Mai n s tre a m M e d i a d oe s n ot r e p or t fa i r l y t o a l l se g m e n t s o f t h e co mm un i ty , but V an e s s a i s u su a l l y on t h e sc e n e t o d e l i v e r Ou r N e ws t o everyon e . I f y o u n e e d to c on n e c t w i t h a n y b od y i n a n y i n d u st ry, a p h o ne call to V a n e s s a i s al l y ou n e e d t o m a k e . H e r n e t w or k of c on t ac t s i s lim itless . She ’ s o f te n re f e r r e d t o a s A i r , b e c a u se sh e ’s e v e r y w h e re .

Sh e’ s also the s e cre ta ry o f BE M A , t h e Bl a c k E m p ow e r m e n t M ov e m e nt Association , an d s i ts o n s e v e r a l b oa r d s a c r oss t h e st a t e .

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Debbie Johnson

Port Wentwo rt h , M a y o r P ro -T e m Ms. Jo hns o n wa s a 17 y e a r e m p l oy e e of Th e S a v a n n a h Ch a t h a m Metropolita n P o l i ce D e partm e n t . S h e r e c e i v e d h e r M a st e r ' s De g r ee in C rimina l J us ti ce a n d F o re n si c P sy c h ol og y a n d w a s t h e fi r st A f rican Ameri can wo man to s e rv e on t h e P or t W e n t w or t h Ci t y Cou n c il.

She served o n the Po rt We n t w or t h Ci t y Cou n c i l for m a n y y e a r s, a n d had accompl i s he d a gre at d e a l , t o i n c l u d e b e i n g a p i on e e r a d v oc ato r f or H B 109 - " Up- Ski rti n g B i l l " t o m a k e t h i s v i ol a t i on of w om e n a crime pun i s ha bl e by l aw, a n d c oor d i n a t i n g v a r i ou s e v e n t s for t he City's Feed the Hun gry pro gr a m . De b b i e w a s t h e fi r st A fr i c a n A m erican Mayor P ro - T e m o f Po rt W e n t w or t h G a . S h e w a s i n t o h e r se c ond term w hen s he d i e d f ro m co m p l i c a t i on s of a r e l a t e d i l l n e ss.

Alw ays with a s mi l e o n he r f a c e , a n d w a n t i n g t o se e h ow sh e c ou ld help some o n e , s he was a gra d u a t e of Saint Leo Un i v e rs i ty whe re sh e r e c e i v e d h e r Ba c h e l or ’s a n d M a ster’ s d egre e . A n d al s o atte n d e d N or t h Ce n t r a l U n i v e r si t y t o a d v a nc e her ed u cati o n i n Bus i n e s s A d m i n i st r a t i on & Cr i m i n a l J u st i c e . S h e is co nsid ered the ro l e mo d e l f o r se r v i c e i n P or t W e n t w or t h a n d h a s inspired oth e r A f ri ca n A me ri ca n w om e n t o se e k e l e c t e d p u b l i c offi c e .

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Willie Dean frazier

For m e r C hatham County Commissioner K no wn a f f e cti o n ate l y to m a n y a s De a n i e , W i l l i e De a n Fr a z i e r , was a Savann a h bo rn a n d rai s e d se r v a n t of t h e p e op l e . B e for e h e r untimely de a th i n 2006, D e a n i e w a s t h e fi r st A fr i c a n A m e r i c a n w oman sworn in un d e r Sa v an n a h’ s fi r st A fr i c a n A m e r i c a n J u d g e E u g e ne G ad gsen . She s e rv e d the c i t i z e n s of Ch a t h a m Cou n t y ’s 5t h Di st ric t f or 14 ye ars . She an d Sa v a n n a h c i v i l r i g h t s l e a d e r W . W . La w founded the Bl ack He ri ta ge F e s t i v a l . S h e w a s a S a v a n n a h e n t r e p r e n e ur and f aith f ul s e rv an t. She ’ s m ost l y k n ow n for t e st i fy i n g for S u p r e me C ourt Ju s ti ce C l are n ce T ho m a s i n h i s h e a r i n g s i n 1991 for appo intm e n t to the co urt.

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Arthur Ashe

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C h arlen a B r o w n

Charlena Bro wn ha s o v e r thi r t y y e a r s i n b u si n e ss w i t h e x t e n si v e experience in co n s ul ti n g an d co a c h i n g . A se l f-st a r t e r , sh e h a s a l w ays been d rive n to be a n e n tre pre n e u r a n d c r e a t e op p or t u n i t i e s for ot he r peo ple. He r f i rs t s ta rt a s a n e n t r e p r e n e u r w a s a s t h e ow n e r a n d general m a n a ge r o f two re s ta u r a n t s, Ch a r l i e B r ow n ' s R e st a u r a n t a nd Seaf oo d an d C hi cke n . A f t e r b e i n g i n t h e r e st a u r a n t i n d u st r y fo r over tw o d e ca d e s , M rs . B ro w n d e c i d e d t o t r y h e r h a n d i n a n e w c ar e er in man uf acturi n g. On e w e e k e n d , a l i fe c h a n g i n g i n ju r y w ou l d leave her u n abl e to re turn to h e r n e w c a r e e r , a n d b a c k t o h e r or i gin al f ound a ti o n o f e n tre pre n e u r sh i p .

During rec o v e ry s he a n d he r h u sb a n d , Ch a r l i e B r ow n , w e r e a b l e t o create a bus i n e s s pl a n f o r Good S e r v i c e , LLC. I n 20 04, G ood S e r v ice, LLC wo ul d be a wa rd e d a c on t r a c t t o m a n a g e t h e S a v a n n a h Entreprene uri a l C e n te r f o r th e Ci t y of S a v a n n a h . G ood S e r v i c e , LLC would m an a ge the Sa v an n a h E n t r e p r e n e u r i a l Ce n t e r for e i g h t y e a rs .

A s th e man a gi n g co mpa n y a n d Di r e c t or , M r s. B r ow n w ou l d p l a c e great em phas i s o n the i mpo r t a n c e of h a v i n g a b u si n e ss p l a n , wh ile m ak i n g e n tre pre n e urs h i p a n e a sy c on c e p t t o u n d e r st a n d t hrough cla s s e s an d re al l i f e e x perience . She wa s a bl e to h e l p h u n d r e d s of b u si n e sse s w r i t e bu siness p l an s an d o pe n busi n e sse s. Bu si n e sse s su c h a s S a v a nn ah Movie T o urs , F re e d o m Tr a i l Tou r s, a n d R a n d y ' s Ba r Qu e h a v e benef ited f ro m he r e xpe rti s e . Th e se b u si n e sse s a n d so m a n y ot h e rs a re still goi n g s tro n g a n d ma k i n g a n e c on om i c i m p a c t i n t h e g r e at e r Savannah co mmun i ty .

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N a talyn B a te s Morr is

C ou nc i lw oman, G arden City G a.

Co uncilw o ma n Na ta l y n M o rris i s h a p p i l y m a r r i e d t o De n n i s L. Mo rris, Sr. T he y are the pro u d p a r e n t s of 2 a d u l t c h i l d r e n a n d 3 ad o rable gra n d chi l d re n . She i s a g r a d u a t e of G r ov e s H i g h S c h ool a nd attend e d Sa v an n a h State Col l e g e (n ow U n i v e r si t y ) . S h e i s a Human R esource C o o rd i n a to r a t Coa st a l E l e c t r i c Coop e r a t i v e w h e r e she h as be e n e mpl o y e d f o r th e p a st 11 y e a r s.

Sh e has o v e r 30 y e ars e xpe rie n c e i n a n H R c a r e e r d i st i n g u i sh e d by developing an d e xe cuti n g hu m a n r e sou r c e st r a t e g y i n su p p or t of t he overall bus i n e s s pl a n an d s tr a t e g i c d i r e c t i on of t h e or g a n i z a t i on .

Her job is to pro v i d e s trate gic l e a d e r sh i p b y a r t i c u l a t i n g H R n e e ds a nd plans to the e xe cuti v e m a n a g e m e n t t e a m . S h e i s a n a t i on a l a nd lo cal mem be r o f SHRM ( Stra t e g i c H u m a n R e sou r c e s M a n a g e m e n t), Sh e serve o n the C i ty C o un ci l for G a r d e n Ci t y , G A , se r v i n g t h e “terrif ic” 3rd D i s tri ct whi ch s h e w a s e l e c t e d t o on J a n u a r y 1, 2020.

Sh e is a boa rd me mbe r f o r th e Coa st a l E m p i r e H a b i t a t for H u m a n it y.

Sh e is an a v i d v o l un te e r i n he r c om m u n i t y a n d e n joy sp e n d i n g t i m e with f amily a n d f ri e n d s .

Sh e is a Gard e n C i ty L e ad e r w h o g e t s t h i n g s d on e . S h e i s p a r t of t he history ma ki n g co un ci l that i s t h e fi r st e v e r A fr i c a n A m e r i c a n majority co un ci l i n the ci ty ’ s h i st or y . S h e i s w om e n ’s h i st or y .

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15

Pastor Joyce C. Hall

P as t o r Li vi ng Ho pe C o mmu n i ty F e l l o w sh ip C h u rc h Pasto r Joy ce C . Ha l l wa s bo r n a n d r a i se d i n S a v a n n a h , G e or g i a .

Sh e grew up i n the Hi tch V i ll a g e h ou si n g p r oje c t , w h e r e sh e c r e dit s th is u pbrin gi n g as be i n g “th e v i si on a n d ze a l ” for t h e m i n i st r y sh e has cu ltiv a te d , L i v i n g Ho pe Com m u n i t y Fe l l ow sh i p . S h e a c c e p t e d her call to mi n i s try i n 1985, se r v i n g a t Ov e r c om i n g b y Fa i t h M i n istries und e r the l e ad e rs hi p o f Dr . R i c k y Te m p l e . P a st or H a l l h a d a visio n to a d d re s s the d i s e ase of h op e l e ssn e ss a n d t r a n sfor m u r b an comm uniti e s by pro v i d i n g th e m w i t h a n op p or t u n i t y t o e x p e r i e n ce th e lif e ch an gi n g f o rce o f C h r i st . W h a t st a r t e d a s a n ou t r e a c h ministry, co ll abo rati n g wi th v ar i ou s c om m u n i t y or g a n i z a t i on s (E m m aus House, Sa v an n a h, C a re C e n t e r , e t c . ) soon g r e w t o w or sh i p se r v i c e s at the Ma y Stre e t Y M C A , L i v i n g H op e M i n i st r y w a s b or n . P a st or Hall’ s min i s try co n ti n ue s to t h r i v e t od a y a t i t s c u r r e n t G a r d e n Cit y lo cation wi th the e xpe cta ti on of w i n n i n g m or e sou l s a n d m a k i n g a greater i mpact o n the co m m u n i t y a t l a r g e . P a st or i n g r u n s i n h er veins, He r mo the r was a past or , a n d h e r b r ot h e r (U . S . S e n a t or R aphael Warn o ck) i s al s o a p a st or .

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Dr. A nn Levitt

SC C P S S Superint endent Dr. Ann Le v e tt i s a Sa v an n a h n a t i v e . A s su p e r i n t e n d e n t , sh e i s t h e e m bod ime n t o f the v i s i o n o f S CCP S S , “ fr om sc h ool t o t h e w or l d : All stu d ents pre pare d f o r pro d uc t i v e fu t u r e s” a s sh e i s a p r od u c t of the Savannah - C hatham C o un ty P u b l i c S c h ool s h e r se l f, h a v i n g g r a d u at e d from Beac h Hi gh Scho o l . D r. Le v e t t k n e w sh e w a n t e d t o w or k i n t he field o f educa ti o n e a rl y o n be g i n n i n g h e r c a r e e r a s a p r ofe ssi on al e d ucator as a s pe e ch a n d l a n g u a g e p a t h ol og i st i n 197 6 (S CCP S S ), ultimately be co mi n g pri n ci pa l of t h e S a v a n n a h H i g h S c h ool . W i t h a pro f essio n al e d ucati o n care e r sp a n n i n g ov e r 30 y e a r s, sh e h a s h eld v ario us h ighe r e d uca ti o n po si t i on s. S h e se r v e d a t Y a l e U n i v e r si t y Scho o l o f M e d i ci n e a n d A n ti o c h U n i v e r si t y t o n a m e a fe w , w h e r e s he led inno va ti v e te n ure s , o v e rs e e i n g v a r i ou s p a r t n e r sh i p s, g r a n t s a nd pro jects. Upo n re turn i n g to G e or g i a , Dr . Le v e t t w a s a p p oi n t e d b y Governo rs P e rd ue an d D e a l t o se r v e on st a t e e d u c a t i on b oa r d s, w he re in 2015 sh e was re co gn i ze d for h e r a c c om p l i sh m e n t s i n e d u c a t i o n by t heG eorgia s e n a te . She i s n o t on l y a c c om p l i sh e d i n t h e a r e a of e d u cation, s he i s al s o a publ i sh e d a u t h or a n d n a t i on a l l y r e c og n i ze d pu blic spe ake r. D r. L e v e tt ha s d e v ot e d a n d w i l l c on t i n u e t o d e v ot e he r career to se rv i n g Sa v an n a h’ s fa m i l i e s a n d st u d e n t s b y “I g n i t i n g a passio n f o r l e a rn i n g.” B e i n g t h e Da u g h t e r of l e g e n d a r y P ol i c e m a n/ Co ach, Bo L e v e tt, s he was a w i t n e ss t o a l l t h i n g s “S a v a n n a h ”, a n d wanted to make a d i f f e re n ce . A n d w h a t a d i ffe r e n c e sh e m a d e .

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Rebe c c a Ta n n e r R u s s e ll

We e pi ng Ti me C o a l i tio n Me mb e r Equally outs po ke n o n i s s ue s t h a t m a t t e r a s sh e i s soft sp ok e n i n co nversati o n , thi s wo man wi l l a l w a y s b r i n g r e c e i p t s.

Rebecca mo v e d d o wn to Sav a n n a h t o e sc a p e t h e l on g , c ol d , M i l w auke e winters in 2008. A l tho ugh s h e h a s a d e g r e e i n P r i n t m a k i n g , b y t r a de , s he i s a self ta ught patte rn ma ke r , d e si g n e r a n d b e sp ok e c l ot h i e r , w i t h f ie rc e ly l o yal clien ts a ro un d the wo rl d. Loc a l l y , sh e w or k s w i t h a h a n d fu l of s mall l abel d esign e rs , gui d i n g the m t h r ou g h t h e p r oc e ss of fl e sh i n g ou t abs t rac t i d eas w ith pro to ty pe s , to a f in a l , t e st e d , m a r k e t a b l e , a n d r e p r od u c ible p ro d uct. “

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Diana Harvey Johnson

F o rm e r St a te S e na tor / C ons u ltant If yo u’ re hun gry f o r i n f o rm a t i on , or i f y ou ’r e e v e r i n t e r e st e d i n netw o rk i n g, the n D i an a Har v e y J oh n son i s t h a t p e r son t o c a l l o n. C o mi n g to Sa v an n a h f r om Bi b b Cou n t y a n d n ot i c i n g a v oi d in goo d lead e rs hi p, M s . Ha rv e y J oh n son t ook h e r i n t e l l e c t u a l p r owess and mo v e d i n the ri ght c i r c l e s for y e a r s, u n t i l sh e b e c a m e a State Se n a to r.

With a ba che l o r’ s d e gre e f r om M or r i s B r ow n Col l e g e , a n d a m a ster’ s d eg re e f ro m the Un i v e r si t y of G e or g i a i n A t h e n s, J oh n son taugh t h i s to ry at Pa i n e C o ll e g e i n A u g u st a , G A . Fr om M or r i s Bro wn U n i v e rs i ty to the Un i v e r si t y of G e or g i a , Di a n a h a s c onnected an d re ma i n s co n n e c t e d t o a l l t h e k e y m ov e r s a n d sh a kers and cha n ge age n ts a cr oss t h e st a t e . S h e c r e a t e d Th e H u n g r y C lub Forum o f Sa v an n a h i n 2 006, so t h a t sh e c ou l d b r i n g t h ose d if f erenc e make rs to ge the r i n fr on t of c i t i z e n s t o h a v e a d i sc u ssion about “wha t’ s n e xt” .

Sh e later cre a te d a ma rke t i n g , m e d i a , a n d p u b l i c r e l a t i on s fi r m , Pinnacle C o mmun i cati o n s Cor p or a t i on i n 2 007. Th i s or g a n i z a t i on and bu sin e s s are v i tal part s of t h e fa b r i c of S a v a n n a h .

It is said , that whe n D i a n a c a l l s , y ou ’d b e t t e r a n sw e r . A n d i f you’ re hun gry , y o u wi l l ge t fe d .

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S ervant L eaders (l -r ) 2 5 - y e a r S a va n n a h B r a n c h N A A C P P r e s i d e n t an d Ci v i l R i g h t s i co n We s t l e y Wal l ace “ WW” L aw , S t at e R ep resentative (l ater S ta te S e n a to r ) D i a n a Ha r ve y Jo hn s on ,an d U . S . Co n g r e s s m an J o h n L e w i s . Ci r ca 1 9 9 1

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Lillian Grant Baptiste

M a s te r Sto ry Te l l e r L i l l i an G r an t-Ba pti ste i s a storyt eller ext r ao rd inair e. She is fro m Sava nn ah , G e o r g i a a n d a n a l u mn a of Savannah St at e Universit y. Gr ant -Bapt is t e is a p r o m o te r of h er f a mi ly bu si n ess vent ur es - her mo t her ’ s business - T ou c h o f A f r i c a and h er son ’s bu si n ess - Mind ing My Black Owned Business.

Gr an t- B ap t i ste i s a f ormer ci v i l ser vant wit h t he Cit y o f Savannah. In t he c o m m u n i ty pl a n n in g a n d dev elo pment o ffice she so ught and wo rked t o em p o w e r members of th e communit y. Being a vo ice fo r neighbo rho o d p ride fo r g e n e r ation s in S a v a n n a h .

H o n i n g h e r cra f t to tel l th e stor ies o f Afr ican Americans has mad e her a v al u ab l e as set to th i s a rea . G rant -Bapt ist e t ells st o r ies t o uplift all t hos e a r o u n d h e r . L i ba tion s or remembr ance cer emo nies have beco me her f ort e - s o s h e c an respect a n d h on or t o past , current , and fut ure her o es and s h e r o e s . M a ster S tory T el ler.

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W e n d y B u l l ens

B o s s E n tre p re n e u r Wendy Bu llens i s a s i l e n t f o rce o f g ood i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y . Th i s d a u ght e r o f J amai ca h as ma d e C ha tham C o un t y h e r h om e a n d fi n a n c i a l e m p i r e .

Bull ens is a Real Es ta te M o gul o w n i n g a n d i n v e st i n g i n p r op e r t i e s t h r ougho ut the ar e a. Sh e’ s d e v e l o pe d re s i d e n t i a l a n d e n t e r t a i n m e n t p l a c e s for a ll. He r Whit e H o use o n T y be e I s l an d has b e c om e “Th e e ” P l a c e on Ty b e e I sl a n d.

Bull ens has bec o me a Re s taura te u r i n S a v a n n a h . S h e op e n e d K ool V i b e s Pi zza and Wing s , the ho me o f the Ox t a i l P i z z a . Th e r e st a u r a n t p r ov i d e s a d i ver se m enu f or the co mmun i ty a n d c i t y . S h e w a n t e d t o g i v e t h e c omm unity a va ri e ty o f f o o d cho i c e s w i t h h e r r e st a u r a n t .

Phil anth ropy ha s be e n a pa rt o f he r m i ssi on , a l so. B u l l e n s i s a w a r e t hat t he p eopl e h ave su ppo rte d he r s o s he h a s fe l t a n ob l i g a t i on t o su p p or t t h e pe o ple .

She has su ppo rte d a v a ri e ty o f pro g r a m s a n d e ffor t s i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y.

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Patricia Harris

T he City of Sav an n a h co n ti n ue s to b e n e fi t fr om t h e t a l e n t a n d h is t or ical lineage co n n e cte d to th e w om e n of i t ’s fi ft h d i st r i c t , e s p ec ially th e de e pl y ro o te d he ri ta g e of t h e r e si d e n t s. On e su c h l i n k is t he c her ish ed ed u ca to r co mmun i ty tha t d e v e l op e d m a n y y e a r s a g o a s A fr i can A mer i can teache rs ra i s e d f a mi l i e s i n t h e fi ft h . Dr . P a t r i c i a H a r r i s a n d P as t o r Bet t y Jones are two re ti re d e d uca t or s w h o fou n d t h e m se l v e s i n t h e fi ft h distr i c t and h ave be e n a cti v e i n pro te c t i n g t h e a r e a for m a n y y e a r s.

D r . P a tricia H ar ri s i s a re ti re d e d u c a t or a n d se r v e d m ost r e c e n t l y a t t h e histor ic Alf red Ely B e a ch Hi gh Scho o l . S h e m a d e a t r e m e n d ou s i m p a c t a s an e ducator, given the f o l l o wi n g s he h a s of for m e r st u d e n t s w h o sh e h a s name d “h er b abies”. Dr. Harri s i s a me mb e r of De l t a S i g m a Th e t a S or or i t y , I n c . , and l eads ef f orts to e n ga ge an d e d uca t e h e r c om m u n i t y a b ou t v ot i n g a n d c ivic e ngag em ent. D r. Ha rri s cre ate d th e fi ft h d i st r i c t c oa l i t i on t o r a i se a w a re ne s s a bout th e valu e , hi s to ry , a n d i mpor t a n c e of t h e fi ft h d i st r i c t b e c a u se she noti c ed a need to o f f e r a v o i ce to re p r e se n t t h e c om m u n i t y . H e r on g oi n g c o mmi t m ent to commun i ty o rgan i zi n g h a s m a d e t h e fi ft h d i st r i c t st r on g e r , e s pec i al l y at city h al l whe re the re ha v e b e e n m i sse d op p or t u n i t i e s i n t h e sp irit o f p r ovid ing reso urce s to the d i st r i ct.

23

Betty Jones

P a st or Betty Jo n e s i s a re ti re d e d u c a t or a n d se r v e d a t sc h ool s i n t h e S avann ah-Chath am C oun ty Scho o l Sy s te m . P a st or J on e s se r v e s a s t h e p r e si de nt o f o n e of the neigh bo rho o d as s o ci ati on s w h e r e sh e e n g a g e s h e r r e si d e n t s o n t he c onc er ns that matte r. Pa s to r J o n e s i s a l so a n a d v oc a t e for t h e r e sp ons ible redevelopm ent o f the f i f th d i s tri ct fa i r g r ou n d s p r oje c t a n d h a s v oi c e d he r c o nc er ns are various me e ti n gs a n d f o r u m s. S h e i s a l so t h e A ssoc i a t e P a st o r at L i tway Baptist C hurch i n Sav an n a h a n d m e n t or s’ y ou n g e r a d u l t s on t h e ir value s a n d ho w to prese n t o n e s e l f i n publ i c . H e r c om m u n i t y or g a n i zi n g e ffor t s have h e lp ed city lead e rs re al i ze the re s i l i e n c e a n d a u t h or i t y t h a t t h e r e si d e n t s o f t he f i ft h district vary – d e mo n s trati n g l ov e a n d v a l u e for t h e c om m u n i t y .

W e s al ute o ur el d e rs , e d uca to rs , f a m i l y , a n d n e i g h b or s i n t h e fi ft h d i st ric t , rem emb ering th eir te a chi n gs as we w a l k d a i l y i n ou r p e r son a l jou r n e y . Thank yo u a l l for paving a p athway f o r pe o pl e l i k e y ou t o w a l k i n sp a c e s w h e r e ou r anc e sto r s c o uld no t dare d re a m to e xi s t.

24

Anne Allen Westbrook

A t t o r ne y/ Ga . Sta te Re p re se n ta tiv e A nne Allen W es tbro o k, M o the r, L aw y e r , A d v oc a t e , Ch a t h a m Cou n t y n a t ive , and e l ec t ed G eorgia Sta te Re pre s e n ta t i v e . A n n e h a s se r v e d on m u l t i p l e Ch at ham a rea board s, as we l l as s e rv i n g a s a Cu l t u r a l A ffa i r s Com m i ssi on e r for t he c it y o f S avannah , w hi ch s uppo rts the m a n y a r t s or g a n i z a t i on s t h a t m a k e u p t he c ul t ur al f abric of Sa v an n a h.

A 2001 Law Sch o o l Grad f ro m the U n i v e r si t y of G e or g i a , S h e h a s w or k ed in m any field s withi n the l a w pro f e s s i on , b u t sp e c i a l i z i n g i n i n su r a n c e d e f e ns e l i ti g at ion and f a mi l y l aw.

Onc e elected , Re pre s e n tati v e We s t b r ook h a s b e e n a st a u n c h a d v oc a t e f o r d oi ng th e righ t t hi n gs o n the s tate l e v e l . S h e i s e sp e c i a l l y c on c e r n e d wit h Juv e ni l e Ju stice a n d Gun C o n tro l . T w o t h i n g s p e op l e h a v e sa i d a b ou t W e s t bro o k i s , she sh o ws up whe re the re ’ s a n i ssu e i n ou r c om m u n i t y a n d sh e l i st e ns . G irl P ow er at its bes t.

25

Dr . Ton ia how a rd-ha ll

Ch a t h a m Co u n ty Sc h o o l B o a rd Re p .

Look in the d icti o n ary un d e r P ubl i c S e r v a n t , a n d i f y ou d on ’t fi n d t h i s pas s io na t e l ead er’ s pho to the re , the n y o u sh ou l d c a l l t h e p u b l i sh e r a n d c om p lain, o r chec k th e encycl o pe d i a f o r f urthe r r e fe r e n c e . Dr . H ow a r d -H a l l i s a l w a ys anyw her e th ere is a n e e d to ad v o ca te for t h e st u d e n t s of t h e Ch a t h a m Co unt y P ubl i c Scho o l Sy s te m. She i s the e p i t om e of w h a t g r e a t e l e c t e d r e p r e s e nt ation is su ppo se to be . A f te r s e rv i n g 32 y e a r s i n v a r i ou s r ol e s w i t h i n t he s ys t e m, st ar t ing o ut te a chi n g to e n d i n g u p a s a p r og r a m m a n a g e r for Ti t l e 1 S c ho o ls , D r . H oward - H a l l f e l t a ca l l i n g to c on t i n u e t o se r v e . S h e t h r e w h e r h a t in t he ring f or election to the s cho o l bo a rd a n d w on b y a l a n d sl i d e .

She i s noted f o r be i n g the mo s t u n se l fi sh e l e c t e d offi c i a l i n t h e st a t e o f G eor gia.

G oi ng through the publ i c s cho o l sy st e m a n d g r a d u a t i n g fr om Tom p k i ns High Schoo l in 1979, the n o n to F l o ri d a A &M u n t i l 1983, h e r p a ssi on w a s t o t o uc h the l i ves of our chi l d re n . She s ta r t e d t e a c h i n g , a l l w h i l e w or k i n g on h e r Master s and Docto r’ s d e gre e s an d ra i si n g t w o k i d s. Du r i n g a t i m e of t h e unkno wn, conc erning the C o v i d 19 Epi d e mi c , sh e w a s t h e on l y b oa r d m e m b e r t o vo t e no , on send ing o ur s cho o l chi l d re n b a c k t o c l a ss w i t h u n c e r t a i n d a t a p e r t aining t o thei r o verall sa f e ty . A f te r o v e r 40 y e a r s of se r v i c e , sh e ’s st i l l p ou r i n g int o t he l ives o f o ur yo un g pe o pl e . Gre at t h i n g s a r e e xp e c t e d fr om G r e a t P e op le , and thi s l ead er is sho wi n g the wo rl d w h y , “B l a c k G i r l s R oc k ”.

26

Sh alena C o o k -J o n e s

D I s tric t a tto rn e y Bo r n and raised i n B ro o kl y n Ne w Y or k , S h a l e n a Cook J on e s k n e w sh e w ant e d to be a law yer a t the a ge o f e i ght. G r a d u a t i n g fr om on e of N e w Yor k Cit y’s mos t competitiv e hi gh s cho o l s f o r g i ft e d a n d t a l e n t e d st u d e n t s, S h a l e n a moved to Atlanta , Ge o rgi a to co n t i n u e h e r st u d i e s a t S p e l m a n Col l e g e . After c ompletio n o f he r un d e rgrad ua t e st u d i e s, M s. J on e s se t h e r si g h t s o n law s chool. She was a cce pte d i n to the U n i v e r si t y of G e or g i a S c h ool of La w, whe re Shalena grad u a te d wi th ho n o rs i n 2002 a n d p a sse d t h e G e or g i a B a r t h a t ve ry s ame year. Begi n n i n g he r care e r a t a n i n su r a n c e d e fe n se l i t i g a t i on fi r m , S hal ena went o n to pra cti ce i n bo th pu b l i c a n d p r i v a t e se t t i n g s i n G e or g i a , T e x as , a n d S o uth C arol i n a.

I n Nov ember 2020, Shal e n a C o o k J on e s w a s e l e c t e d a s t h e Di st r i c t A t to rne y f or Chath am C o un ty Ge o rgi a . D i s c u ssi n g t h e r e sp on si b i l i t y of h e r p osi t io n as D i st r i ct Attorne y , J o n e s s hare d th a t t h e p r ose c u t or ’s d u t y i s t o t h e P e ople . I t means being ca re f ul to i d e n ti f y wh e r e i m p l i c i t b i a s a n d h i st or i c a l p r e ju dic e are i n operatio n and e l i mi n a te the m to r e d u c e u n fa i r ou t c om e s. “I a m p r ou d t o do this jo b every d a y an d e v e n mo re p r ou d t o d o i t w i t h a n d for y ou , t h e c it iz e ns .

T og et her, w e wil l ho l d o f f e n d e rs a c c ou n t a b l e , p r ot e c t v i c t i m s of c r i m e and c ont inue to make C ha tham C o un ty t h e b e st i t c a n p os si bly be.”

27

Coco Gut h ri e -P ap y

C oc o G u th rie- P apy i s a co mmun i t y or g a n i z e r , r e st or a t i v e ju st i c e p r a c tit io ne r, pub l i c policy ne rd , a n d bo rn - an d - b r e d S a v a n n a h i a n . S h e w or k s a s De e p ’s Direct or of Pu blic Po l i cy an d C o mm u n i c a t i on s, w h e r e sh e d e v e l op s De e p’s publ ic p olicy and a d v o cacy po s i ti o n s, a s w e l l a s w or k i n g a s t h e or g a n i z a tio n’s l ob b yist.

She r eceived h e r tra i n i n g a s a re st or a t i v e ju st i c e p r a c t i t i on e r a t t h e I nt e rnational Institu te f o r Re s to ra ti v e Pr a c t i c e s, i s a H i g h l a n d e r E d u c a t i on Ce nt e r G r een sboro Ju s ti ce F e l l o w, a PEN P r i son W r i t i n g Fe l l ow , a n d a P e op l e f o r t he Am er ican Way’s F ro n t L i n e L e ad e r Fe l l ow , a n d h a s se r v e d on sou t h e a st e rn regiona l bo ard s such a s P l a n n e d P a r e n t h ood S ou t h e a st a n d G e or g i a 9 t o 5. S he cur r ently serve s as a SWOP be hi n d B a r s p r i son m e n t or a n d a s a l e g a l o bs e rve r for the AC LU o f Ge o rgi a , an d h a s c on su l t e d on m u l t i p l e s e l e c t or a l camp aigns regard i n g po l i cy d e v e lop m e n t , c om m u n i c a t i on s st r a t e g y , and m ovement build i n g.

Last bu t not leas t, s he i s a pro ud c l i n i c e sc or t , a n a b or t i on d ou l a se r ving t he st at e o f G eo rgi a , an d trai n i n g to b e a fu l l sp e c t r u m d ou l a . S h e b e l i e v e s we can ne ver stop he l pi n g o n e a n o th e r .

28

Sonya Jackson

T h e fir st Black pe rs o n to be e l e cte d a s t h e Ch a t h a m Cou n t y Ta x Com m is s io ne r, Sonya L. Jack so n , pro mi s e d to l e v e r a g e h e r b u si n e ss e x p e r t i se t o i m p r o ve acc es s t o services, e d uca te re s i d e n t s a b ou t t h e t a x l a w s a n d t h e i r r i g h t s, and ref o rm g overnmen t a cco un ta bi l i ty . J a c k son l e a d s t h e Ch a t h a m Cou n t y Ta x C o mm issi on s of f ice ma n a gi n g a $6.3 m i l l i on d ol l a r b u d g e t a n d l e a d i n g a st af f o f 78 e m p l oyees. Jacks o n ’ s o f f i ce bi l l s , c ol l e c t s, a n d d i sb u r se s a p p r ox i m a t e ly $500 m il l i on in proper ty a n d mo to r v e hi c l e t a x e s t o st a t e , c ou n t y a n d l oc a l g o ve rnm ent s and scho o l s e a ch y e ar.

A n Al umna o f Sav an n a h Hi gh School a n d S a v a n n a h S t a t e U n i v e r si t y , J a c ks o n’s c hoic e to serve he r ho me to wn ha s p r ov i d e d g r e a t b e n e fi t t o a l l c i t i z e n s in C hat ha m C ounty . T he T ax C o mmi s si on e r h a s b r ou g h t A u t om a t e d A u t omo bile T ag R e newal K io s ks to the a re a. T h e k i osk s p r ov i d e r e si d e n t s w i t h a r apid and s afe alternative f o r ta g re n e wa l s . Cu st om e r s a r e n ow a b l e t o g e t t h e i r de c als i ns t antly. R esid e n ts can l o ca te the k i osk s a t K r og e r st or e s on M a l l Bou le vard, Og eec h ee Ro ad , an d Wi l mi n gto n I sl a n d . I n a d d i t i on t o u si n g t h e Ch a t h a m C ount y Tax Of f ice s ’ thre e l o cati o n s, r e si d e n t s a r e e n c ou r a g e d t o c on d u c t t he ir b usi ness o n- line f o r a v a ri e ty s e rv ic e s.

W or king d iligentl y to ke e p he r pro m i se s, J a c k son i s a l so e d u c a t i n g r e s ide nt s a bout their righ ts an d tax l a ws thro u g h a v a r i e t y of m e t h od s, t o i n c l u d e c o mm uni t y f oru ms, w o rks ho ps , an d par t n e r sh i p w i t h a r e a or g a n i z a t i on s.

29

Sabriya Scott

S ab r iya Scott i s n o t o n l y s e l l i n g t h e A m e r i c a n Dr e a m t o t h ou sa n d s b u t mo re i m p ortantly she ’ s ma ki n g i t a re a l i t y . S c ot t i s a n e n t r e p r e n e u r , R e a l t or, and W eal th D evelope r f o r i n d i v i d ua l s a n d fa m i l i e s. S h e h a s d e v e l op e d h e r c ompany, Sco tt Re a l ty Pro f e s s i o n a l s, i n t o on e of t h e t op r e a l t y c om p anie s in t he U.S. Beco mi n g a n e xpe rt i n th e fi e l d sh e h a s b e c om e a b e a c on of light f o r c ur r e nt and ge n e rati o n al we a l th.

S c ot t is an alu mn a o f Sav an n a h H i g h S c h ool a n d A r m st r on g A t l a n t i c S t at e U ni versity (now Ge o rgi a So uthe r n U n i v e r si t y ) . A t A A S U / G S U sh e b e c ame a c har ter mem be r o f the T au A l pha Ch a p t e r of De l t a S i g m a T heta So ro ri ty I n c.

S c ot t’ s co mm i tme n t to e xce l l e n c e a n d t o se r v e p e op l e h a s p r op e l l e d he r int o b ei ng o ne of the l e a d e rs i n re al e st a t e v e n t u r e s i n G e or g i a and South C aro l i n a. He r e n d e avor s h a s c a u se d h e r t o g r ow ot h e r b us i ness venture s : T & J P ro pe rt i e s of S a v a n n a h a n d S c ot t M anagement & C o n s ul ti n g Se rv i c e s.

Al l of h er ef f orts ha v e be e n to u p l i ft p e op l e a n d c om m u n i t i e s.

30

A l d e r w om e n Ali c i a Mil l er B lakel y, B ernetta B r yant Lani e r , & Kesha G ib son Carter

A l i ci a M i l l e r B l a k e l y (fa r l e ft ) C o un ci l w om a n S a v a n n a h G a T his moth er, gra n d mo the r, mi l i tary v e t , c om m u n i t y a c t i v i st , soc i a l m e dia c re at or , and elected o f f i ci a l , i s s ay i n g i t l ou d , sh e ’s CON S I S TE N TLY sa y i n g it lo ud.

R ai si ng Awarene s s i s he r cl ai m to fa m e . S h e l i k e s t o l e t t h e p e op l e k n o w, what s he sees , hears , a n d l e arn s , wi l l b e c om m u n i c a t e d t o h e r c on st i t u e n t s . S he ’s never af raid to a s k tho s e T OUGH q u e st i on s, or t o S p e a k Tr u t h To P ow e r. I n he r w o r ds , “Yeah I sai d i t” .

Be rn e tta Br y a n t La n i e r (m i d d l e ) C o un ci l w om a n S a v a n n a h G a .

P ol i c y, Peo ple, Purpo s e , Pe rs e v e ra n c e a n d P r og r e ss. Cou n c i l w om a n B r yant L a ni er is th e m o s t qual i f i e d o f f i ci a l on t h e c ou n c i l . S h e h a s e n ou g h e d uc at i o n and certif ica ti o n to te a ch the c ou n c i l . S h e d e m on st r a t e s a p a ssi on f o r he r c o m m unity and he r d i s tri ct. T hi s for m e r Lon g sh or e w om a n , i s A CCU S TOMED t o fi ght i ng f o r w hat the pe o pl e n e e d s . H e r Ca m p a i g n sl og a n w a s “ G I V E T HE P EOP L E W HAT T HEY WA NT ” ! So f t s po k e n , b u t fe r oc i ou s on d e t a i l s, p ol i c i e s , and p roced u res, she ’ s the a d v o ca te s a d v oc a t e .

Ke s ha Gi b son Ca r t e r (fa r r i g h t ) C o un ci l w om a n S a v a n n a h G a .

If Public Servan t ha d a f a ce , he rs w ou l d b e i t . Th i s a r t i c u l a t e , i n t e l l i g e n t , c ari n g, p ublic servan t i s us ual l y mi s u n d e r st ood b e c a u se sh e w e a r s h e r p a s s io n o n h er sl eeves. Fro m he r ti me o n n um e r ou s c i v i c b oa r d s a n d d i r e c t i n g i m po rt ant g o ver nment d epartme n ts , to T he R a p e Cr i si s Ce n t e r , Fa m i l y P r om i se , and a P L ETHOR A of o the r o rgan i za ti o n s ov e r a 2 5 y e a r c om m i t m e n t t o se r v i c e , t his el e ct ed o f f icial i s bumpi n g he a d s w i t h t h e e st a b l i sh m e n t a n d u p se t t i n g t he s t at u s quo. Bold , Bra v e , a n d D e te rmi n e d , t h i s c ou n c i l w om a n r e a d s a n d t h e n c hall e nges u nf air pr acti ce s an d po l i ci e s. G on e a r e t h e d a y s of ju st sh ow i n g up t o Vot e, and BEING A RUBB ER ST A M P .

31

32

Delores Screen Daniels

S e r i a l E nt r e p re n e u r/ Tre n d Se tte r F r om Jeans Ju n cti o n , to Sty l e s B y De l or i s, t o De l or i s on 37t h , t o Fa c i als by D el or is, this Tre n d s e tti n g bus i n e ss w om a n h a s b e e n sh ow i n g u s h ow t o s t art , manage, and o wn y o ur o wn bus i n e ss si n c e t h e 70’s. I f 1 099 h a d a fa c e, he r f a c e would be it.

A lw ays creating a bus i n e s s to ma k e p e op l e d r e ss b e t t e r or t o l ook g ood , t his a gel ess beauty i s wha t be i n g cre a t i v e i s a l l a b ou t . H e r r u n w a y fa sh i on and h a i r sh o ws of th e 80’ s are wha t s e t t h e t on e for e n t e r t a i n m e n t i n S a v a nnah.

H er c omf ortable wa i ti n g are as i n h e r h a i r sa l on s a n d h e r e l e g a n t l ook ing s t yl i ng areas we re al wa y s the ta l k of t h e t ow n .

F i ve d ecad es la te r a n d s he ’ s s ti l l h e l p i n g c l i e n t s l ook g ood a n d fe e l g o o d.

She’s wh at you ge t whe n y o u mi x c l a ssy , b e a u t y , i n t e l l i g e n c e , d e t e r m i n at io n.

D el or is su rely is a l i v i n g l e ge n d .

33

flaujae johnson

M u s i c Artist/ Ath l e te F lau’jae Jo hnson has go t ta l e n t – 2 w a y s. S a v a n n a h b or n J oh n son h a s be e n a s tar in entertain me n t as a rappe r a n d a s a t h l e t e i n b a sk e t b a l l .

One of Savanna h’ s l e ge n d a ry ra pp e r s t h e l a t e Ca m ofl a u g e a / k / a J a son Jo hns on i s h er f athe r. He r gi f ts f o r wo r d s, fl ow , a n d b a r s a r e i n h e r g e n e s. He r M om ager (“H alf M o m Ha l f M a n a g e r ) sa i d on e of t h e fi r st t i m e sh e p e r fo rme d s he fe ll asleep be f o re the pe rf o rm a n c e . H e r fa t h e r Ca m ou fl a g e w ou l d f all a s l eep bef ore hi s p e r formance.

A s i t stand s it’ s n o s l e e pi n g o n e i t h e r on e of t h e m . Fl a u ’ja e si g n e d a r ecor ding d eal wi th the bi l l i o n ai re J a y Z ’s R oc N a t i on . S h e p e r for m e d o n “Am er ica’ s G o t T al e n t” . Pri o r to t h a t J e r m a i n e Du p r i h a d h e r a s a c on te s t ant o n “The R ap G a me ” .

S he’s im pressiv e wi th he r s ki l l s on t h e m i c a n d st a g e b u t Fl a u ’ja e i s a n e ve n l ar ger stand o ut. J o hn s o n wa s a s t e l l a r p e r for m e r on t h e b a sk e t b a l l c ourt .

Her st ar loo med l arge a t Spra y be r r y H i g h S c h ool b e c om i n g on e of t h e mo s t s ought af ter rec rui ts i n the co un tr y . A ft e r fi n i sh i n g h e r h i g h sc h ool c a r e e r s he t ook h er talents to Bato n Ro uge - Lou i si a n a S t a t e U n i v e r si t y (LS U ) . P l a ying in t he t ough So uth e as te rn C o n f e re n c e (S E C) Fl a u ’ja e J oh n son h a s b e e n n ame d t he F r eshman of the Y e a r i n the Con fe r e n c e .

34

queen Quet

“Yeddi We" here we s tan d - a He ad w a s p l a c e d u p on t h e Bod y . I n J u l y 2002 the fo rm er Marque ta L . Go o d wi n e w a s e n st ool e d a s Qu e e n Qu e t Ch i e f te s s of the G u lla h Ge e che e Na ti o n . Qu e e n Qu e t i s fr om S a i n t H e l e n a I sland Sout h C arolina. She cre ate d the G u l l a h G e e c h e e S e a I sl a n d Coa l i t i on and A KAN - Af rik an Kul tural A rts Ne tw or k .

She was f o rm all y kn o wn a s an A rt i v i st - a n a r t i st w h o i s a n a c t i v i st . N ow s he i s k no wn as the f o re mo s t l e a d e r r e g a r d i n g m a t t e r s p e r t a i n i n g t o Gullah G eec h ee peo ple i n the US. S he h as travele d the wo rl d wo rki n g on b e h a l f of h e r p e op l e a n d t h e c ult ure and s he is reco gn i ze d by v a ri o us g ov e r n m e n t s.

Queen Qu et is the f i rs t Gul l a h Ge e c h e e p e r son t o a d d r e ss t h e U n i t e d Nat i on s. In 1999 s he ad d re s s e d th e U N ' s Com m i ssi on on H u m a n R i g h ts in G eneva, Switz e rl a n d . Si n ce that tim e sh e h a s b e e n i n v i t e d t o a d d r e ss o t he r f or ums at th e U N o n be hal f o f Gul l a h G e e c h e e p e op l e .

Si de Note - Sh e ha s l e f t Sav an n a h a n d H i l t on H e a d n a t i v e J a m a l Tou r é in the US wh ile on he r trav e l s to Bra si l a n d P a n a m a . " W hen T ru th Arri v e s F a l s e ho o d M u st P e r i sh " 35

Ambria berksteiner

A mb r i a Berk ste i n e r i s a Sav an n a h n a t i v e w h o g r a d u a t e d fr om Th e S a v a nnah A r t s Acad em y in 2013. Whi l e atte n d i n g S a v a n n a h A r t s A c a d e m y a s a Vis ual Art s major , sh e had the o ppo rtun i ty to p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e E n g i n e e r i n g E x p l o re r P o s t Pr ogr am. It was d uri n g thi s e xpe ri e n c e w i t h t h e Th om a s & H u t t on fi r m t hat s he d evel oped h er p a s s i o n f o r e n gi n e e r i n g . Fol l ow i n g h i g h sc h ool , sh e a t t ende d Sp el man C ollege whe re s he maj o r e d i n M a t h e m a t i c s a n d w a s a p a r t i c i pant in the Du al- Degree En gi n e e ri n g pro g r a m . S h e w e n t on t o a t t e n d A u b u r n U nive rs it y wher e sh e stu d i e d I n d us tri a l an d S y st e m s e n g i n e e r i n g comp leting h er d ua l d e gre e . I n 2017, sh e w on t h e M i ss S a v a n n a h U S A Pag eant, gainin g the o ppo rtun i ty t o c om p e t e a t M i ss G e or g i a U S A . W h ile f ulf illi ng t he d uties o f thi s pre s ti gi o us t i t l e , sh e d e c i d e d t o e m p ow e r y ou n g W o me n o f Color in th e S T EM f i e l d s as he r p a g e a n t p l a t for m , l a u n c h i n g ‘Op e r a tio n One STE M at a T ime ’ .

Op er ation One S T EM a t a T i me i s a n i n i t i a t i v e sh e sol i d i fi e d on h e r p l a t f o rm as Mi ss Savannah USA 2017- 2018. T h e or g a n i z a t i on e d u c a t e s, e n l i g h t e n s , and e mp ower s young w o me n to purs ue STE M -r e l a t e d c a r e e r s, a n d A m b r i a i s a f f e c t io na tel y consid ere d i ts me n to r- i n - chi e f. Ov e r t h e p a st 6 y e a r s, sh e h a s w o rke d and p ar t nered w ith T he L i v e Oak P ubl i c Li b r a r i e s, G e or g i a Te c h ’s CE I S M C pro gram, the S ociety of Wo me n En gi n e e rs , a n d Th e Cr e a t i v e Coa st . R e c e n t l y sh e was app oint ed to the L i v e Oa k Publ i c L i b r a r y ’s Boa r d of Tr u st e e s h e l p i n g t o furt he r c ult i vate space s o f l i mi tl e s s l e a rn i n g i n S a v a n n a h . I n 2 018, A m b r i a A dvo c at e d to local law make rs the n e e d to re c og n i z e w om e n i n S TE M -r e l a t e d c a r ee rs in o ur l ocal co mm unity . D ue to thi s l o bb y i n g , sh e w a s u l t i m a t e l y g r a n t e d a p ro c lamati on for th e f irst Wo me n I n ST EM Da y for t h e S a v a n n a h -Ch a t h a m Cou n t y are a.

T hr ough her STEM ad v o ca cy , s he h a s r e c e i v e d n u m e r ou s a w a r d s a n d ho no rs .

Mos t recently she wa s re co gn i ze d b y S a v a n n a h M a g a z i n e a s a 20 21 N e w G uard h onor e e and rec o gn i ze d by the 10 0 B l a c k M e n of S a v a n n a h , r e c e i v i n g t he o rg ani za tion’ s 2021 L e ad e rs hi p Se rv i c e A w a r d . S h e w a s a p p oi n t e d t o t h e Live Oak Publ i c Library’ s Bo a rd o f T rus te e s a n d se r v e s on t h e W ood v i l l e Tom p kins T e c hn ic al H igh Sch o o l En gi n e e ri n g A dvi sory Board . A mbri a be l i e v e s t h a t e x p osu r e l e a d s t o e x p a n si on a n d t hat s he i s helping to laun ch e ach chi l d cl o se r t o t h e i r d r e a m s # on e S TE M a t a t i me .

Gabrielle Nelson

Co u n c il w o ma n Po r t W e n tw o rth , G a.

Th is Yo un g T rai l bl aze r i s n o t on l y a r i si n g st a r i n Ch a t h a m Cou n ty Ga, bu t in the s ta te o f Ge o rgi a . H e r c a m p a i g n m od e l i s “H a v i n g A Heart”. Sh e d o e s n o t ca re ab ou t p a r t y p ol i t i c s, w h i c h oft e n d i v i d es instead o f un i ti n g, s he o n l y c a r e s a b ou t t h e b ot t om l i n e a n d h ow it af f ects r e gul a r ci ti ze n s . T h i s m ot h e r , w i fe , a n d a d v oc a t e i s e v er yw here f ighti n g o n the f ro n t l i n e s for e v e r y b od y ’s r i g h t s. S h e ’s t he past Secre tary o f the C hatha m Cou n t y De m oc r a t i c Com m i t t e e , a s well as bei n g o n the bo a rd o f se v e r a l c h a r i t a b l e , c i v i c , a n d g ov e r nmental org an i za ti o n s . She ’ s t h e se c on d A fr i c a n A m e r i c a n fe m a l e e lected in the C i ty o f P o rt We n t w or t h , fol l ow i n g i n t h e foot st e p s of h er co us i n F o rme r M a y o r P r o-Te m De b b i e J oh n son . S e r v i n g a n d politics run s i n he r D NA . We c a n l ook t o se e t h i s y ou n g t r a i l b l a z e r in th e f u tu re s e tti n g tre n d s f or ot h e r y ou n g w om e n . Th i s G i r l I s On Fire.

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Lisa Rundstrom

Co m m u n i ty A c ti v i st Lisa R und s tro m i s a mul ti - m e d i a a r t i st w or k i n g i n sc u l p t u r a l i nt eractive te chn o l o gi e s , v i d e o, c om m u n i t y a n d p u b l i c a r t . S h e i s a p u blished a utho r an d P ro f e s sor of Fou n d a t i on S t u d i e s a t S a v a n n ah C o llege of A rt a n d D e s i gn i n S a v a n n a h G A , w h e r e h e r foc u s i s on 4D, time- bas e d me d i a .

Sh e has exhi bi te d i n art ce n te r s, g a l l e r i e s, m u se u m s a n d i n p u b l i c spaces nati o n al l y . He r mo s t r e c e n t w or k s e x t e n d i n t o t h e c om m unity, prod uci n g i n cl us i v e pub l i c a r t a n d e v e n t s i n c l u d i n g t h e n on p ro f it H ello Ne i ghbo r SA V & H e l l o N e i g h b or R a d i o fe a t u r e d on c ommu nity rad i o a n d s tre a mi n g.

H er work wi th the co mmun i t y e x t e n d s i n t o c oa l i t i on b u i l d i n g a n d is a m ember o f the We e pi n g T i m e Coa l i t i on i n e ffor t t o p r e se r v e t h e histo rical si te o f the We e pi n g Ti m e S l a v e A u c t i on i n W e st S a v a n n ah and Woo d v i l l e . She i s a ce rti fi e d y og a i n st r u c t or a n d c om m u n i t y servant.

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V a u gh nette Goode- wa l k er

V aughn ette G o o d e - Wa l ke r i s a hi s t or i a n , p oe t , jou r n a l i st , e d u c a t or , c u l t ural a d voc ate and organ i ze r, e n tre pre n e u r , t r u t h sp e a k e r , l e g a c y h ol d e r , m us e um e xecutive, and t o rch be a re r f o r tru t h , ju st i c e , a n d r i g h t e ou sn e ss. On e c o uld s ay s he is a mu ltita l e n te d ge n i us . Go o d e -W a l k e r g r e w u p i n S a v a n n a h a n d C hat ham C ount y . In f act s he we n t to hi gh sc h ool a s y ou n g g i r l t o Tom p k i n s H i gh S c ho o l.

H er mo th er tau ght ho me e co n o mi c s a t Tom p k i n s a n d a t t i m e s sh e h a d t o go ther e w ith m o th e r.

Sist a V as sh e is kn o wn to ma n y a c r oss t h e g l ob e i s a g r a d u a t e of S a i nt Vinc ent ’s Acad em y i n Sa v an n a h, GA . La t e r h e r c ol l e g e e x p e r i e n c e w ou l d t ake he r to t he Atlanta, Ga to be co me a M o r r i s Br ow n W ol v e r i n e . Th e p r i d e of h e r alma m at er becomes cl e ar as s he pro udl y p r oc l a i m s “I ’m a B r ow n i t e ”.

H er j ournalistic care e r has take n h e r t o Ch i c a g o, N e w Y or k Ci t y , A t l a n t a, and Savann ah . She i s o n e o f the a uth or s of B r ok e r s, B a n k e r s, a n d Ba y La ne – a tr emend o us w o rk o n the e co n o mi c s a n d t h e fou n d a t i on of S a v a n n a h ’s we alt h – h u m an traf f ick in g o f A f ri can s .

T h e K ing- Tisd ell C o tta ge a n d the R a l p h M a r k G i l b e r t Ci v i l R i g h t s h a v e be e n give n new lif e and n e w me an i n g bas e d on h e r w or k b ot h m u se u m s. G ood e - W alke r o rg ani z ed so me o f the f i rs t Spo ke n W or d e v e n t s i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y . A f o rme r m anager of regg a e ba n d i s a part of h e r b a c k g r ou n d .

T h e fight f o r human ri ghts i s i n he r b l ood . Th e Ci v i l R i g h t s l e a d e r , R e v . F . D. J audon , “the W al ki n g Pre ache r” , i s h e r u n c l e . G ood e -W a l k e r st a n d s on his s hould ers, and t he s ho ul d e rs o f B e n ja m i n V a n Cl a r k , W . W . La w , E a r l Shinho ls t er , Esther G arri s o n , an d co un tl e ss ot h e r s w h o sou g h t e q u a l i t y a n d e quit y f o r A fr ic an people h e re a n d be y o n d . S h e l e t s b e k n ow n h e r w or k i s p a y i n g re s pe c t a n d ho no r to th e i r l e gaci e s .

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Judge tammy stokes

T a m m y Sto k es is the C hi e f J ud ge of Ch a t h a m Cou n t y ’s R e c or d e r ’s Court in Savannah, G eo rgi a , s he al s o s e rv e s a s J u d g e -e l e c t for t h e S u p e r i or Court o f the E astern Distri ct.

J udge Stok es h a s s e rv e d i n C hath a m Cou n t y ’s R e c or d e r ’s Cou r t si n c e 2004, a n d b ecame C h i e f J ud ge i n 2012, m a k i n g h i st or y b ot h t i m e s a s t h e fi r st blac k w oman jud ge, a n d f i rs t bl ack chi e f ju d g e i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y . P r i or t o h e r c ur r en t work , Sto ke s s e rv e d a s J u d g e P r o-Te m p or e for t h e Ci t y of Th u n de rbo lt , C hat ham C o unty P ro bate C o urt, a n d Ch a t h a m Cou n t y J u v e n i l e Cou r t . She als o o w ned a private l aw pra cti ce i n Sa v a n n a h fr om 1 996-2004.

P revi o usly, Stoke s s e rv e d as a n Assi st a n t Di st r i c t A t t or n e y i n Fu l t on C o unt y, a n d Assistant S o l i ci to r i n D e kal b Cou n t y S ol i c i t or ’s Offi c e , a n d J u v e n i le C o urt .

She began her l aw care e r a s a s ta ff a t t or n e y w i t h t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s B o ard o f V et er a n Appeals i n Wa s hi n gto n , D . C. T a m m y Sto k es r e ce i v e d he r J uri s Doc t or d e g r e e fr om t h e U n i v e r si t y of G e o rgia L aw S ch o o l, and a Ba che l o r o f A rt s d e g r e e i n p sy c h ol og y fr om t h e U n i ve rs it y o f Geo rgia. She ca l l s he rs e l f a “trip l e d og ” b e c a u se sh e a l so g r a d u a t e d f ro m A . E. B e ach H igh Scho o l i n Sa v an n a h , w h ose m a sc ot i s a b u l l d og , l i k e t he U niv e r s i t y of G eorg i a .

Bo r n and raised i n Sav an n a h, Ge o r g i a , J u d g e Ta m m y S t ok e s d e d i c a t e s he r lif e to her ho meto wn thro ugh bo th he r w or k a n d i n v ol v e m e n t i n t h e c om m unit y.

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Tammy Mosley

Cle r k o f Su p e ri o r C o u rT H aving received he r un d e rgra d d e g r e e fr om M or r i s Br ow n Col l e g e a n d he r L aw D egree f rom D ra ke Un i v e rs i ty , Ta m m i e c a m e b a c k h om e t o se r v e .

T h e S u perio r C ourt C l e rk i s kn o wn a s Th e M a st e r K e e p e r of Th e R e c or ds .

A ft er n u mero us y e ars wo rki n g i n di ffe r e n t a r e a s of t h e l a w , fr om S t a ff At t or n ey in Su pe ri o r C o urt, to pra c t i c i n g l a w i n t h e p r i v a t e se c t or , T am m ie sets he r s i ghts o n the he a d r e c or d s k e e p i n g job .

H er ex perience an d e xpe rti s e i n th e ju d i c i a l sy st e m , p r ov i d e d h e r t h e o pp ortu nity to s ho w he r i n n o v a ti v e a n d e n e r g e t i c v i si on on h ow t o i m pro ve the c ase manag e me n t pro ce s s e s .

She vo lunteers a n d s e rv e s o n man y b oa r d s a n d or g a n i z a t i on s i n t h e Savann ah - C hatham C o un ty are a.

T am m ie believe s i n gi v i n g back a n d sh ow i n g u p . S h e a t t e n d s e v e r y c om m unity even t e n ga gi n g wi th th e v ot e r s a n d c i t i z e n s of h e r c om m u nit y.

T h i s i s h o w sh e re al l y ke e ps the re c or d s, t h r ou g h A c c e ssi b i l i t y , Tr a n spare nc y, a n d A ccountabil i ty . J us t che ck he r r e c or d , sh e h a s t h e r e c e i p t s. Ta m mie is p ar t of w hy W o me n Rul e T he Wo rl d .

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weslyn "mahogany" bowers

C om m un it y Adv ocate/Business Owner Yo u get a b o o k bag! Y o u ge t a b ook b a g ! Y ou g e t a b ook b a g . You ge t a t u rk ey! You ge t a turke y ! Y o u g e t a t u r k e y .

Serving o th e rs me an s hav i n g a h e a r t , b e i n g h u m b l e , b e i n g st e a d fa s t , be ing p assio nate , a n d l o v i n g pe o ple on t op of l ov i n g w h a t y ou d o.

Weslyn Ma ho gan y Bo we rs , e x e m p l i fi e s a l l of t h e se c h a r a c t e r t r a i t s . S he g ives witho ut l o o ki n g to re ce i v e , sh e c a r e s w i t h ou t l ook i n g t o b e c are d for. Sh e u n d e rs ta n d s that the r e a r e k i d s t h a t a r e i n n e e d of sc h oo l s upp lies , so she cre a te d B l e s s i n g s I n A B ook Ba g . S h e sa w t h a t t h e r e we re eld erly citize n s , ho me l e s s pe op l e , a n d u n d e r se r v e d p e op l e t h a t d idn’t have food to eat d uri n g the ho l i d ay s, so sh e or g a n i z e d food g i v e a w a y s .

If there’ s a n e e d , s he s e e s i t a n d r e sp on d s u n se l fi sh l y . S h e n e t w orks wit h t h o se that can he l p he r me e t t h e d e si r e d ou t c om e . M a h og a n y , a s s he ’s af f ectionate l y ca l l e d , i s i n th e t r e n c h e s. S h e i sn ’t sc a r e d t o g e t h er hands d irty o r to s we at a l i ttl e .

T his Yoga te ache r, co mmun i t y or g a n i z e r , R a d i o P e r son a l i t y , soc i al me dia c ontent cre a to r, pe rs o n a l f i tn e ss t r a i n e r , m ot i v a t i on a l sp e a k e r a nd bus iness owne r, i s a gi rl o n f i re .

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Juli a Pearce

Co mmu n i ty A c ti v i st Wh en it come s to putti n g pe o p l e t og e t h e r , e sp e c i a l l y p e op l e fr om dif f e re nt r aces,backgro un d s , an d cul tu r e s, J u l i a P e a r c e i s t h e p e r son t o se e . Julia l ives o n T y be e I s l a n d Ga., wh i c h i s w h e r e S a v a n n a h Be a c h i s l oc at e d.

T ybee Isla n d i s a ppro xi ma te l y 98% w h i t e , b u t J u l i a w a s st i l l a b l e t o organiz e a M L K Pa rad e a n d e v e n t , a n d a l so a c e r e m on y (J u n e t e ent h W ade ) o n the Islan d .

Sh e’ s so f t s po ke n but f o rce f u l i n h e r op i n i on s of t h e fa c t s a n d c i r c umstances. She ma ke s s e n s e i n a w or l d t h a t se e m s t o b e g oi n g c r a zy. Julia is a peo ple’ s pe rs o n , a pe rs o n t h a t u n i t e s i n st e a d of d i v i d i n g , a p e rs o n t hat i s colo rblin d i n s te ad o f bl i n de d b y c ol or .

If yo u’ re ev e r n e a r T y be e , C o m e W a d e i n Th e W a t e r .

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March - 2023

women's History Month Edition