ATLANTA — On Thursday, Aug. 20, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) hosted the first meeting of its Equity & Inclusion Commission. Ambassador Andrew Young delivered a virtual keynote address to the 26-member commission, which is chaired by LaGrange Mayor and GMA First Vice President Jim Thornton and Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis.

Midway Mayor Pro Tem, Dr. Clemontine Washington is part of the 26-member commission.

Davis said, “the role of the GMA Equity and Inclusion Commission is to recommend actions that bear witness to the principles of justice, equality and fairness, develop a long-term plan of action to address institutional and systemic racism, and equip city leaders to listen thoughtfully and dialogue constructively with the residents they serve.”

GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson reminded Commission members of the importance of listening, uniting widely, and acting boldly in order to bring justice to the complex systems that shape and influence today’s society.

These systems included some of the commission’s focus areas of training and education, state legislation, public safety reform and employment. The Commission will also address, propose and implement solutions for additional impediments to equity including housing, medical access, food disparities and development.

Ambassador Young closed with a message of hope for the Commission and by quoting Georgia music icon, Otis Redding, “Take your time,” he said. “When you have problems, try a little tenderness. When things are going wrong, all it takes is a little respect to go a long way. If we work together as brothers and sisters, we will succeed.”

 The commission was created in early June when the GMA officers, led by Dublin Mayor Phil Best, GMA immediate past president, GMA President Vince Williams, sent a statement to the membership that expressed the association’s strong opposition to racism, violence and acts of injustice, inequity and inequality that was occurring across the nation.

With the support of a 12-member GMA staff team, a mid-term report will be issued to the Board of Directors in January 2021, and a final report will be presented to the Board and membership at the 2021 Annual Convention. It is anticipated that the Commission will meet monthly through June 2021.

GMA Equity & Inclusion Commission Members

Dr. Clemontine Washington, Mayor Pro Tem, Midway                                 

Jim Thornton, Mayor, LaGrange (Co-chair)                          

Hardie Davis, Mayor, Augusta (Co-chair)                             

Linda Blechinger, Mayor, Auburn

Michelle Cooper Kelly, Mayor Pro Tem, Marietta     

Carmen Chubb, Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Atlanta

Patti Garrett, Mayor, Decatur

Andrea Gibby, Mayor, Young Harris 

Tyree Goodlett, Councilmember, Dalton                               

Keith Turman, Mayor Pro Tem, Royston                               

Bianca Motley Broom, Mayor, College Park 

Liz Ordiales, Mayor, Hiawassee                                                                                

Al Thurman, Mayor, Powder Springs                        

Amir R. Farokhi, Councilmember, Atlanta

Anthony Ford, Mayor, Stockbridge                

Kelly Girtz, Mayor, Athens-Clarke County    

Cornell Harvey, Mayor, Brunswick    

Lisa Clarke Hill, Mayor Pro Tem, Moultrie     

Doug Hollberg, Mayor, Griffin                        

Isaiah Hugley, City Manager, Columbus       

Michael-Angelo James, Mayor, Waycross    

Cam Jordan, Deputy Administrator, Fitzgerald                                             

John Reid, Mayor, Eatonton                                      

Matt Seale, Mayor, Ocilla                                                                              

Julie Smith, Mayor, Tifton                                                                              

Mike Young, Mayor, McRae-Helena