Meet the 2027 Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellows: Leading with Purpose & Passion While Serving Our Community
The 2027 Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program, powered by Constellation, has officially begun! From October 2026 to May 2027, 31 Civic Fellows will drive positive change by organizing at least one volunteer project each month with their partner organizations. Alongside this, they will participate in monthly leadership and professional development workshops, and each Fellow will raise a minimum of $750 to support Hands On Atlanta’s mission. Click here to give them a head start!
Last year, 24 Civic Fellows made a remarkable impact by engaging over 1,800 volunteers across 190+ service projects. Additionally, they directly supported Hands On Atlanta’s mission, raising a record total of $21,003! We’re excited to see the 2026 cohort continue this legacy of impact across metro Atlanta.
Safehouse Outreach
Clean Walks Alliance
Lifecycle Building Center
Out of Hand Theatre
Liveable Buckhead
This year's program will support the following nonprofits and schools:
Stella Love Nonprofit
Piedmont Park Conservancy
Helping Mama's
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
Discovery
Anna Kanze Hamilton
Safehouse Outreach
Anna Kanze Hamilton is an advisor, mentor, and board member dedicated to increasing access to resources and networks to support youth development, entrepreneurship, job creation, and investment in metro Atlanta and beyond. She is a wife, mother of two children in the City of Decatur school system, where she actively volunteers, and a dog mom. She also serves as an advisor to local Atlanta organizations, including the Partnership for Southern Equity, the Kristine Pettoni Foundation, Emory's Start:ME program, and Safehouse Outreach. She holds a degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from NYU Stern Business School.
Ayesha Adams
Liveable Buckhead
Ayesha Adams is a human resources and culture leader with more than 20 years of experience building strong teams, inclusive cultures, and meaningful employee experiences. She currently serves as National Director of Culture & Engagement at Skanska USA Building, where she leads initiatives focused on culture, engagement, leadership development, and inclusion. An Atlanta native passionate about civic leadership and community service, Ayesha serves on the City of East Point Ethics Board and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is also a graduate of Leadership Buckhead’s Class of 2026 and holds a Master of Science in Human Resources from Troy University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Georgia State University.
Bailey Maxwell
Out of Hand Theater
Bailey Maxwell, is a Social Impact Manager at Beazley, where she leads initiatives focused on community impact, inclusion, and employee engagement. With more than 14 years of volunteer service across metro Atlanta, Bailey is passionate about connecting people, organizations, and resources to create meaningful change. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of talent development, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement, building partnerships that strengthen both workplaces and communities. She believes strong communities are built through service, connection, and opportunity, and is honored to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program to deepen her understanding of Atlanta's nonprofit ecosystem while continuing to invest in the city she proudly calls home.
Cheryll Davis
Piedmont Park Conservancy
As a 2027 Civic Fellow Cheryll looks forward to deepening my connection with the community, creating meaningful programs, building lasting relationships, and successfully carrying out service projects that make a positive impact.
DeAndre Harper
Stella Love Nonprofit
DeAndre is an Atlanta native with a zeal for learning, community engagement, and public service.
With over a decade of experience in K-5 education, congressional politics, public policy, diplomacy and international relations via Cobb County Schools, the United States Congress, and the Department of State, Hands on Atlanta offers a tremendous opportunity for him to deepen his commitment to local community impact through advocacy and volunteer projects.
DeAndre currently serves as a Political Campaign Organizer focused on deep canvassing battleground state voters in competitive US Senate and Gubernatorial races around the country.
Deborah Truitt
Safehouse Outreach
Dr. Deborah Truitt is a business and community leader, entrepreneur, consultant, and licensed insurance professional dedicated to strengthening families, expanding access to resources, and creating pathways to economic stability and generational success. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Family Legacy Network, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the founder of Mommy Mean Bizness, where her work encompasses family empowerment, entrepreneurship, financial education, legacy planning, and community resource navigation. Dr. Truitt currently serves as a Family Peer Ambassador for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (GA DECAL) and as a GEEARS Changemaker with the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, serving communities in Gwinnett and Hall counties. Her community leadership also includes serving as a mentor through Project Restart, and supporting initiatives focused on children, families, education, housing stability, and community well-being.
Eboni Lowery
Liveable Buckhead
Eboni Lowery, MSN, RN, is a Nursing Professional Development Practitioners and educator with more than eight years of nursing experience, dedicated to advancing clinical excellence, professional growth, and the development of the next generation of nurses. In her professional role, she supports nursing education, onboarding, competency development, quality improvement, and staff engagement while also serving as adjunct nursing faculty and an infusion nurse. Beyond healthcare, Eboni is actively involved in community service and leadership through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, the Atlanta Black Nurses Association, and nonprofit initiatives focused on supporting mothers, youth, and underserved communities. Her passion for education, service, and mentorship drives her commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for both healthcare professionals and the communities she serves.
Ellissia Scott
Stella Love Nonprofit
Ellissia Scott is a hospitality leader who has called Atlanta home for the past five years. Originally from Mississippi, she brings nearly a decade of restaurant operations and team management experience, along with a genuine spirit of hospitality, to her work and community. She has volunteered with efforts addressing food insecurity and helping people meet other basic needs. Ellissia is motivated by the belief that even a small act of care can help someone feel seen and supported.
Hamaria Crockett
Discovery
Dr. Hamaria Crockett is a workplace and positive psychologist dedicated to creating better workplaces and opportunities for people to thrive. Her work spans workforce development, organizational effectiveness, leadership, talent strategy, economic development, and education across corporate, higher education, nonprofit, and public-sector environments. A two-time TEDx speaker, executive coach, educator, and mentor, her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post. Known as the “Mary Poppins of the Workplace,” Hamaria combines workplace psychology with practical strategy to help organizations strengthen their people and communities.
Isha Williams
Piedmont Park Conservancy
Isha Williams is a creative, service-driven leader passionate about building stronger communities and creating meaningful impact through both her professional and civic work. Her career has spanned affordable housing, including work within the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) sector, and FinTech, where she currently leads complex, cross-functional initiatives. A Georgia Southern University alumna, Isha earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Africana Studies and later earned a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Policy Analysis and Evaluation from Georgia State University. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), she also serves as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of 20:35 Worldwide, a nonprofit supporting community development and service initiatives locally in Atlanta and internationally in Kenya. Outside of her professional and civic endeavors, Isha is a writer, registered yoga teacher, traveler, and lifelong learner who believes deeply in the power of connection, community, and intentional leadership.
Jada Hogue
Clean Walks Alliance
Jada Hogue is a communications and community engagement professional with experience in digital marketing, strategic communications, and media relations. In 2020, she co-founded Empower Atlanta Magazine, a print and digital publication created to inform and inspire Atlanta communities, where she served as Managing Editor. Her experience also includes developing and executing marketing and communications strategies at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, helping expand organizational visibility and community engagement. Through her work, Jada has found purpose in connecting people to information, opportunities, and organizations that strengthen the Atlanta community.
Jesus Rivera
Helping Mamas
Jesus Rivera is a civic and community leader committed to serving others, building stronger communities, and creating opportunities for people to grow together. With more than 17 years of leadership experience, Jesus currently serves as a leader within Citizens of Georgia Power, where he helps organize and mobilize volunteers to support communities across Georgia.
Through his civic leadership, Jesus has helped lead initiatives supporting families, children, education, hunger relief, community development, and disaster response. His service has included partnerships and volunteer efforts with organizations such as Helping Mamas, Open Hand Atlanta, Kindezi, Children Without Beds, and Hands On Atlanta.
Jodeci Acosta-Gorman
Out of Hand Theater
Jodeci Acosta-Gorman is an education and community leader with more than a decade of experience supporting youth, families, and educators. She currently serves as Director of High School Transitions for KIPP Atlanta Schools, where she works to strengthen middle-to-high school transitions and expand access to financial aid, college attainment, and strong match-and-fit postsecondary pathways for historically underserved students and families.
Her leadership also includes global education initiatives, efforts focused on Black male college persistence, and service on Achieve Atlanta’s College Access Leadership Council. In 2025, Jodeci and her team received a national Excellence in College Counseling Award through Common App and Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative in recognition of their impact on students and the college access field.
Kami Bankston
Out of Hand Theater
Kamariah “Kami” Bankston is a product and program leader based in the Atlanta area with more than a decade of experience in technology, data, and digital product development. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Kami’s experiences living in different communities throughout her life have shaped her curiosity about people, systems, and the ways our environments influence opportunity.
Kayla King Scott
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
As a Philadelphia native, Kayla Starr King Scott, brought a little Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection with her to Georgia. She's is a marketing and communications professional, two-time award-winning author, and MBA candidate at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Professionally, she works with Diamond in the Rough, where she supports programming focused on mentorship, college readiness, leadership development, and empowering the next generation of young women. Her community leadership experience spans the Junior League, Urban League Young Professionals, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. At the heart of Kayla’s work is a passion for uplifting girls, connecting people to opportunities, and helping women and young people see what is possible for themselves.
Kenneth Hobson
Lifecycle Building Center
Kenneth Hobson is an educator and nonprofit leader who believes every student deserves someone in the classroom who can help them become a strong reader. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Program Strategy, Impact, and Implementation at The Literacy Lab. He leads efforts to prepare Fellows to support young readers in classrooms across five regions: Georgia, Ohio, Wisconsin, Washington, DC, and Maryland. He works with a partner organization to train paraprofessionals who work one-on-one with students. KennentH is excited about his acceptance into the CLP with Hands on Atlanta.
Kiara Henry
Clean Walks Alliance
Kiara is Director of Client Services at Wyng, a marketing technology company, where she leads service delivery for global brands including Mondelēz International, LVMH, and Church & Dwight. She is a metro Atlanta native who studied journalism at Georgia State University, where a UI/UX assistantship became her path into tech. In the community, she volunteers with the Marcus Graham Project, MomoCon's panel moderation team, and Hands On Atlanta's Discovery program. Guided by the belief that talent is evenly distributed but opportunity is not, Kiara works to open pathways into creative and tech careers for K–5 students and young professionals.
Lauren Small Simmons
Lifecycle Building Center
Lauren is an HR professional and passionate community leader who believes that meaningful change begins when people feel connected to something bigger than themselves. With more than a decade of experience in talent acquisition and people-focused leadership, she brings a strong passion of creating experiences that bring people together. Within her community, Lauren serves as a Chapter Chairman for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she focuses on reconnecting and engaging sisters through service. She has also served on the board of her alma mater’s alumni and other non-profit 501c3 organizations where she contributed to initiatives that strengthen connection, leadership, and community impact.
Leesi Barinem
Helping Mamas
Leesi supports college students in achieving their academic goals by connecting them with academic and campus resources. She is passionate about community building and strategic program management, with a focus on improving operations and engaging diverse communities. For example, she has successfully planned and organized Flag Football events that brought together over 40 Christian adults, ages 28–55, to foster connection and community. Leesi is passionate about serving others and creating events that positively impact my community.
Mashanda Burton
Helping Mamas
Mashanda Burton serves as the Director of Operations at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, where she aligns organizational strategy with impactful operational leadership. Driven by an enduring passion for maternal health equity and community advocacy, she dedicates her work to uplifting families and expanding access to supportive perinatal care across Georgia.
Michaela Carter
Safehouse Outreach
Michaela Carter is an author and communications professional with experience spanning sports and entertainment, higher education, and government. She currently serves as Internal Communications & Digital Platforms Manager at U.S. Soccer, where she develops communications and digital experiences that connect employees to the organization’s people, purpose, and work. Beyond her professional career, Michaela is the founder of RAWCove, a faith-centered community dedicated to creating restorative experiences for women, and actively serves through her church through mission work. Her commitment to service extends throughout the Atlanta community, where she has supported unhoused individuals through organizations such as SafeHouse Outreach, served seniors through Meals on Wheels, and volunteered to read to children in local schools. She is also passionate about mentorship, civic engagement, and using her gifts in storytelling and community-building to pour into women, children, and underserved communities.
Monica Davis
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
Monica Davis is a Senior Client Performance Manager at Cox Automotive and an MBA candidate at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. She is passionate about community engagement and regularly volunteers through Cox, serves on Motion Run Club’s Community Service Committee, and is active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She also serves as an Evening MBA representative for Emory’s Black MBA Association, supporting student engagement and community building. As a Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellow, Monica is excited to deepen her impact across metro Atlanta through service, leadership, and nonprofit partnership.
Monique Lee
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
Monique Y. Lee is a nonprofit executive with nearly 20 years of experience in youth development, education, operations, philanthropy, and community engagement. She is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening community partnerships, and creating opportunities that help children, families, and communities thrive. Her commitment to service extends through her involvement with United Way VIP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Monique is dedicated to expanding her impact through civic leadership, service, and meaningful engagement throughout metro Atlanta.
Myles Logan
Lifecycle Building Center
Myles Logan is a proud Stone Mountain native, public service professional, and community leader with a passion for serving others and creating meaningful change. He is a two-time graduate of Clark Atlanta University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration. He currently serves as a Deputy Clerk with the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court, where he supports critical court functions and provides high-quality service to the public. Outside of work he enjoys playing soccer, mentoring youth, volunteering, and staying actively engaged in communities throughout Metro Atlanta.
Nadia Krause
Clean Walks Alliance
Nadia Krause is a Field Operations Manager with 2020 Companies, where she leads teams, develops talent, and drives operational excellence. She is passionate about community service and has supported initiatives focused on nonprofit development, digital access, food security, and community engagement. As a Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Fellow, Nadia looks forward to strengthening her civic leadership skills and continuing to create meaningful impact in the communities she serves.
Naquila Gilchrist-Jalajel
Discovery
Naquila Gilchrist-Jalajel is an operations strategist and civic-engagement leader who helps mission-driven organizations and communities thrive. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Winston-Salem State University and an MBA from Florida International University. After 15+ years in the defense contracting industry, Naquila moved into small-business entrepreneurship. As the Founder of Quila Consulting and Director of Operations and Co-Owner at Technician Interactive Security, she focuses on building strong teams, designing practical governance frameworks, and creating data systems that help organizations grow and deliver on their goals.
Naquila’s advocacy work centers on boosting democratic participation and elevating underrepresented voices. As President of Voices of Muslims – Fayette County Chapter, a recent appointee to its Advisory Board, and a District Captain and Post Seat Holder for the Fayette County Democratic Committee, she helps guide statewide strategy, build coalitions, and support civic-education efforts.
Shantreez Burris
Safehouse Outreach
Shantreez Burris is a Strategy & Operations Manager on The Coca-Cola Company’s Global Meetings & Events team, where she leads strategic programs, operational initiatives, and cross-functional efforts that improve how teams work and deliver experiences at scale. Prior to Coca-Cola, she spent six years at Accenture, partnering with organizations on strategy, transformation, and operational improvement. Outside of her professional work, Shantreez supports the onboarding, coordination, and development of more than 200 volunteers within her church community and tutors children twice a month at Atlanta Mission’s My Sister’s House. A Spelman College graduate, she is passionate about service, community, and using her skills and experiences to create meaningful impact in Atlanta and beyond.
Sharon Hurdle
Piedmont Park Conservancy
Sharon Hurdle is a community-focused professional with more than 10 years of experience in health education, youth development, housing, social services, and program coordination. She develops and facilitates life-skills and prevention education programs that help individuals build confidence, self-reliance, and the skills they need for personal and professional success. Sharon creates opportunities that support youth, families, and communities while addressing practical needs through education, connection, and community partnerships. She is also actively engaged in nonprofit leadership and civic development opportunities that strengthen her ability to serve and create meaningful community impact.
Terance Clement
Liveable Buckhead
Terance Clement is a National Sales Leader at Comcast NBCUniversal, where he leads strategic initiatives that strengthen sales performance, customer retention, and leader readiness across the organization. Passionate about creating opportunities for others, he dedicates his time to mentorship, leadership development, and community service throughout Metro Atlanta. He serves with organizations including 100 Black Men of Atlanta, the AJ Terrell Jr. Foundation, and America On Tech, helping expand access and opportunity for future generations. As a member of Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2027 and a recent graduate of the 100 Black Men of America Leadership Institute, Terance is committed to building stronger communities through service, collaboration, and civic leadership
Tiffany Shelby
Stella Love Nonprofit
Tiffany Shelby is a Talent Management Analyst at State Farm, where she supports strategy and workforce initiatives by turning complex or ambiguous challenges into clear, actionable solutions. Her career spans talent management, talent acquisition, underwriting, claims, and research, giving her a broad perspective on people, organizations, and how work gets done. Outside of her professional role, Tiffany is the founder and president of Aequo Pathway Foundation (aequopathway.org), a nonprofit that expands career exposure and opportunity for young people through connections with professionals and industries. She is passionate about building bridges between people, resources, and opportunities and using collaborative leadership to create lasting community impact.
Unique Lewis
Discovery
Unique Lewis is an Atlanta-based nonprofit and community development professional who holds a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management. She brings experience in nonprofit operations, workforce development, youth mentorship, community outreach, and partnership development, including service as an AmeriCorps member with City Year. Unique is the founder of A Unique Way of Life Consulting, where she supports emerging nonprofit organizations in building strong organizational foundations and sustainable practices. Within her community, she collaborates with local nonprofit organizations to develop initiatives and create meaningful opportunities for youth and families. She is passionate about using service, collaboration, and community-centered leadership to strengthen the communities she serves.
Constellation is proud to support the Hands on Atlanta Civic Leadership Program (CLP), which helps equip emerging leaders with the skills, connections, and experiences needed to create lasting impact in their communities. Through this partnership, Constellation supports leadership development and strengthens the ability of individuals to drive positive change across the Atlanta region.
To learn more about the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program visit https://www.handsonatlanta.org/civic-leadership