GeorgiaForward

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐝

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Alex moved to Kennesaw, Georgia, in 1996 and has been building community connections ever since. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a focus on Nonprofit Management from Kennesaw State University.

Alex began her career as Membership Director at Governors Towne Club before becoming Member Development Manager at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce in 2023, a role where she strengthens connections and fosters relationships across Cobb County. She also serves as Vice Chair for the Kiwanis Club of Marietta U40.

A dedicated volunteer with the Foundation for Hospital Art, Alex has traveled to South Korea, Uruguay, and Brazil, bringing comfort and hope to healthcare facilities worldwide.
Alex is honored to join this year's Young Gamechangers class and looks forward to contributing to impactful solutions and meaningful progress.

𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 is proud to spotlight changemakers like Alex who are shaping stronger communities across our state.

Thank you to Spruill Center for the Arts for hosting City of Dunwoody - Government's Mayor Deutsch to read to campers! This visit was part of the Mayor's Reading Club and Georgia Reads for America250, literacy initiatives led by 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 in partnership with Georgia Reads.

Moments like this show the power of local leadership in building a lifelong love of reading.

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢 - 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝑵𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝐆𝐌𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

Alexis is a student at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, representing GMA District 3. She was inspired to apply for the Statewide Youth Council to stay engaged in government after her first youth government program ended, and to explore whether public administration and youth advocacy could be a passion for her.

Three words that describe Alexis: Whimsical, Productive, and Spontaneous.

Her dream career is to become a government administrator or government policy analyst, and she's passionate about youth advocacy in state and city councils, along with youth policy feedback and proposals.

Fun fact: Alexis did Taekwondo for 5 years and earned a 2nd degree black belt 🥋

Someone Alexis looks up to is Ke Huy Quan, who showed her that everything comes with time and a dream. Her favorite place in Georgia is the downtown Suwanee area, not for the place itself, but for the memories, and her favorite TV series is One Piece, which taught her about dreams and found family.

Welcome to the council, Alexis! We can't wait to see the change you help create!

A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors for stepping up to support 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅's upcoming pickleball fundraiser!

Presenting Sponsor: Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority

Kitchen Sponsor: Visit Macon

Court Sponsors:
All-State Electrical
Brown, Readdick, Bumgartner, Carter, Strickland & Watkins, LLP
Oliver Maner LLP
McMillan Pazdan Smith
Parker Young Restoration, an Endurant Company

Your support helps power the work we do to build a stronger, more connected Georgia.

There's still time to join the fun! Sponsorship opportunities and player registration are open now. Grab your paddle and get in on the action, or partner with us to support the mission.

Sign up or sponsor today! https://www.gacities.com/events/detail/gf26p

Books, community, and a love of reading; what a wonderful combination!

This week's Mayor's Reading Club Spotlight shines on Mayor Rochelle Robinson for Mayor whose recent Reading Pop-Up Event, hosted in partnership with Douglas County Georgia Schools, brought young readers together to celebrate the power of books.

Mayor Robinson is a proud participant in the Mayor's Reading Club, a 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 initiative, and shared why the program means so much to her:

"One of the greatest joys of serving as Mayor is connecting with our youngest residents, and the Mayor's Reading Club has given me a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Reading is a fundamental skill that opens the door to all other subjects and can take you anywhere your imagination desires. I am grateful to partner with the Georgia Municipal Association on a program that encourages children to discover the joy of books."

The event also celebrated Georgia Reads for America250, honoring the nation's 250th anniversary through the power of books and literacy.

Thank you to Mayor Robinson, Douglas County Georgia Schools, and everyone who came out to make the event so memorable.

Photos courtesy of the City of Douglasville - Government.

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Airelle is a cybersecurity and data engineering professional with more than a decade of experience supporting local, state, and federal government alongside private-sector partners. A decorated U.S. Army veteran, she specializes in security governance, risk management, and data modernization across mission-critical environments.

Airelle is a cybersecurity and data engineering professional with more than a decade of experience supporting local, state, and federal government alongside private-sector partners. A decorated U.S. Army veteran, she specializes in security governance, risk management, and data modernization across mission-critical environments.

Philanthropy is central to Airelle's identity and leadership. She mentors emerging leaders and contributes to organizations like KEY Military Sorority, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Hope Atlanta, American Advertising Federation, and Ladies Who Golf Atlanta, building stronger, more resilient communities along the way.

Airelle's ability to blend civic engagement, mentorship, and technical expertise across both public and private sectors is where she truly shines.

𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 is proud to spotlight changemakers like Airelle who are shaping stronger communities across our state.

This fall, take a journey through 250 years of the American story. 📖

As the new school year kicks off, we're excited to share the America 250 Reading List. This specially curated collection of books connects history, identity, and civic engagement, perfect for the classroom, the bookshelf, or family reading time.

Inside, readers will discover:
American history and the foundational stories that shaped our nation
Diverse voices that continue to shape who we are
Books that spark civic curiosity and reflection

Whether you're reading at your desk, on the bus, or around the kitchen table after homework, there's a story on this list waiting for you and your family.

Explore the Reading List: https://tinyurl.com/America250readinglist

Georgia Reads for America 250 - Honor The Past. Read For The Future. Building civic literacy involves learning our nation’s history, recognizing the rights and responsibilities we share as Americans, and engaging thoughtfully in the conversations that shape our future.

📚 Meet Conyers Mayor Connie Alsobrook, who's bringing the Mayor's Reading Club to life in her city!

On July 8, Mayor Alsobrook welcomed about 30 kids to Conyers City Hall, including 19 youths from the A.R. "Gus" Barksdale Boys & Girls Club, for the official launch of the program. The morning kicked off with icebreakers and teamwork activities before city leaders, including City Attorney Carrie Bootcheck, City Manager Kameron Kelley, and Assistant City Manager Brian Frix, sat down to read aloud with the children. Springfield Baptist Church Pastor Eric Lee joined in too, popcorn and candy bags in hand.

Beyond the books, kids got a firsthand look at how their local government works with a guided tour of City Hall, and every child left with a free book and a Certificate of Achievement to mark the occasion.

In Mayor Alsobrook's words:

"The Mayor's Reading Club is about more than reading books. It is about inspiring our children to discover the joy of reading, building their confidence, and showing them that their community believes in them. Every book has the power to open a new door, and I want every child to know that they have unlimited potential."

The Mayor's Reading Club is an initiative of 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅, and Conyers' first read in is just the beginning. A second event geared toward tweens and teens took place on July 22. Be on the look out for the next Mayor's Reading Club event!

Congratulations, Mayor Alsobrook, on a memorable first chapter!

Full story via On Common Ground News: https://ocgnews.com/conyers-mayor-connie-alsobrook-launches-the-mayors-reading-club/

GeorgiaForward

🏓 Grab your paddle! The Pickleball Round Robin is on, a fundraiser presented by 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅!

Monday, August 31, 2026
Rhythm & Rally, 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon, GA 31206

We're calling on teams and sponsors to make this event a smash. Whether you're looking to compete on the court or put your brand in front of the community, there's a spot for you.

Team registration and sponsorship opportunities are open now: https://www.gacities.com/events/detail/gf26pb

Thank you to Visit Macon for helping bring this event to reality!

GeorgiaForward Pickleball Round Robin | Georgia Municipal Association

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐎𝐠𝐞

For over 10 years, Markie has called Hinesville, Georgia home, and in that time, she's built a career and a life centered on lifting up the community around her.

Markie holds a degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources from Georgia Southern University, along with extensive experience working with youth and families. In her current role, she focuses on mentorship, support, and creating opportunities that empower young people to succeed.

Markie's commitment to community extends well beyond her day-to-day work. She's a founding member and current secretary of Women Veterans of the Coastal Empire, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Liberty County, and serves as the Key Club Kiwanis Advisor. She's also a 2026 United Way Young Leaders Board Member and a 2026 VWISE cohort recipient.

With strong leadership, strategic planning, and team collaboration skills, Markie brings both professional expertise and hands-on community experience to every initiative she takes on.

𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 is proud to spotlight changemakers like Markie who are shaping stronger communities across our state.