Above: CONNECTION COTTAGE: Foreign language department teacher Aziz Coleman sits in Room 903 on Feb. 10. Through casual conversation, Coleman has found joy in connecting with his students. “I really wanted to help kids learn more about themselves and about the world and just expand their thinking about life,” Coleman said. “That's why I spend most of (my) time just sitting and talking because that's the only way you're going to really connect with somebody.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Peter Atchley
Above: GIVING BACK: Atlanta Department of Grants and Community Development Commissioner Deborah Lonon stands outside of the Billy Henderson Stadium concessions stand on Feb. 14. Lonon has cherished her career and life as a U.S. citizen and enjoys sharing her success with her family back home in Nigeria. “The U.S. does provide opportunities, resources, and access to the opportunities that I may not have otherwise had,” Lonon said. “It allows me to give back differently to my community, to this country and to my home country, and to my family who's still there, so I am very grateful.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Peter Atchley.
Above: PAYING IT FORWARD: Clarke Central High School Class of 2003 alumnus Coach Omar Reid sits on the bleachers in the CCHS James M. Crawford Memorial Arena on Feb. 14. Reid has dedicated his life to serving communities by mentoring students through various programs, including the Northeast Georgia Youth Football Conference, Parent Advisory Board, and the CCHS basketball team. “It's not a job for me. This is my life. This is my walk. This is my mission: to give back to my community,” Reid said. “When I look at kids in Clarke County School District, no matter what the school is. Black, white, or yellow, everybody has something that they have (gone) through and I can relate to it as an educator.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Evan Cornish
Above: MADAME PRESIDENT: Clarke County School District Board of Education President Dr. LaKeisha Gantt stands in front of Clarke Central High School on Feb. 17. Gantt spent most of her first term working on the BOE, itself, but she hopes to take a different direction in the future. “I need to spend more time with families in these communities, and so that is the most important thing that I look forward to, I want to be in people's living rooms and on their porches. I want to be where they are, if it's at the barbershop, if it's at church, if they're in the grocery store, I want to spend time with people.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Henry Abbe
Above: HEARING EVERYONE: Clarke County School District Board of Education Vice President Dr. Mumbi Anderson takes a seat in the Media Center Courtyard on Feb. 15. Throughout her tenure on the BOE, Anderson has focused on hearing and recognizing the needs of underrepresented groups in the community. “(Some) key principles for me are ensuring that silent voices in this community can be heard if you just listen enough,” Anderson said. “Ensuring that those voices are heard just as frequently and just as loudly as many other members of our community.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Henry Abbe
Above: THOMAS TALKS: Athens Community Career Academy Director Reginald Thomas stands in front of his former office on the Freshman Academy hallway on Feb. 22. Thomas worked at Clarke Central High School for 23 years as both a social studies department teacher and administrator before moving on to ACCA, where he has seen a difference in student motivation. “At the Career Academy, we have 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, who choose to come there — a lot of them are taking different (Career, Technical and Agricultural Education) classes, and a lot of them are taking college classes. Obviously, to take college classes in high school, you have to be motivated,” Thomas said. “So the biggest difference is probably gonna be that you're going to have a larger, much, much larger percentage of your students who are self-motivated.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Ma’Kiyah Thrasher
Above: ACROSS THE WORLD: University of Georgia Assistant Director of Immigration Services Sylvia Schell stands in the Clarke Central High School Media Center Courtyard on Feb. 9. Schell worked with a wide variety of students across the world by helping them come to UGA and has found enjoyment through learning about their various cultures. “I think (the international students) bring a different perspective that you don't get sometimes from domestic students (because they) enrich the culture here at UGA for students and staff who are unable to travel to different countries,” Schell said. “ They are getting that experience here at UGA by interacting with international students and international faculty members.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Evan Cornish
Above: HELPING GLADS GRADUATE: Clarke Central High School Graduation Coach Tonia Jones, who also serves as the Georgia Possible Coordinator, sits in the CCHS Administrative Suite on Feb. 27. Throughout her career, Jones has worked to motivate struggling students to meet graduation goals. “So in motivating those students, just giving them kind words, just to encourage them that education is important, and graduating is important and to graduate,” Jones said. “You have to earn credits, you have to get 24 credits to graduate. So just being there, just building those relationships with students and encouraging them when they really need some encouragement to kind of get things done.” Story and photo by Ciyana Ramos
Above: EMPOWERING THROUGH EXERCISE: Strength and conditioning coordinator Joshua Dawson stands in front of a weight rack in Clarke Central High School’s Billy Henderson Strength and Conditioning Center on February 14. Throughout his career, Dawson has encouraged students to complete their goals inside and out of the gym. “I think the biggest thing I see is when students see other students being able to achieve their goals physically and mentally, it gives them the confidence to do the same. When we first start off, (they know) the session is gonna be such a hard class, but after the first week, they get through the soreness, they understand, ‘I can do this, and I can keep doing it,” Dawson said. “It’s always a great feeling for me to just see kids achieve their goals.” Story and photo by Jack Luken
Above: BEYOND A BOND: Clarke Central High School Principal’s Secretary LaToya Hill stands in front of the Jennie L. Mattox street sign outside of CCHS on Feb. 13. During her career, Hill has worked with a variety of students and youth, with her mission being to keep them educated on the importance of Black History in remembrance of her grandmother, Jennie Mattox. “What's ironic about the street naming is she told us when she was alive (that) Blacks couldn't walk down that street without being harassed,” said Hill. “Fast forward, I'm working here in the school that was the first integrated school here in Athens, and her name is on the street that I see every morning.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Samaya Ellis
Above: TOUGH LOVE: Clarke Central High School head Flag Football coach and varsity girls assistant basketball coach Cherrelle Pass stands in the Competition Gym on Sept. 15, 2021. During her 11-year coaching career, Pass has relied on tough love to challenge and motivate her student-athletes. “It takes being uncomfortable to create change. We're getting to places where comfortability (and) complacency is the new norm,” Pass said. “(But) when you have coaches, teachers, and leaders in the building that know how to get that comfortability out of you, you'll see that flower fully develop.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Samaya Ellis
Above: LIVING THE LEGACY: Executive Director and Co-Founder of Athenian First Development Corporation Mark Martin stands in the Clarke Central High School Media Center Courtyard on Feb. 15. In Oct. 2020, Martin and his sister, Therese Omanovic, founded AFDC by pulling inspiration from their mothers’ values. “My mother was very, very involved in Athens. A lot of people knew her, so it was about that pride. We wanted to carry that legacy on,” Martin said. “It was an honor for her, and we were obviously thinking of Athens first, so that was always the model.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Peter Atchley
Above: BLACK JOY: Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School math department teacher Flodine Kialeuka, Co-Facilitator of the BHL Black History Month Program, stands before a mural at BHL on Feb. 21. Kialeuka expressed her appreciation for BHL’s diverse history and hopes to promote the education of Black History to the rest of the Athens community. “It’s critical that we convey the message to everyone, not just limited to BHL, but hopefully the entire community,” Kialeuka said. “(BHL is) a rich, phenomenal place, and I think that that story is often not told, and it's important. It’s up to us — it’s up to you all — to take it outside of the classroom.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Adah Hamman
Above: BEYOND BHL: Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School math department teacher Kamala Lawrence, Co-Facilitator of the Black History Month Program, talks about her passion for Black History in a classroom at BHL on Feb. 21. Lawrence has worked to incorporate BHM celebratory activities into her classes, including having guest speakers talk to the students. “People come in, during our home bases, our (Extended Learning Times), our classes trying to make sure that (Black History is) ingrained everywhere,” Lawrence said. “We’ve had Fred Smith — an icon in the community — come (to) speak to us, as well. The history here is absolutely amazing if you do your research. It’s critical that we convey that message to everyone, not just limited to BHL, but hopefully the entire community.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Adah Hamman
Above: PROUD PRINCIPAL: Whitehead Road Elementary School Principal April Braswell sits in the Clarke Central High School Media Center Courtyard on Feb. 13. After completing a rigorous university experience, Braswell advanced in her career in education by working in multiple school districts, instilling in her a high standard for achievement. “Black Excellence for me just means going above and beyond to create this space of excellence, good quality work, just high expectations. Just know who I am, I'm proud to be who I am, I'm proud of the work that I do. I look forward to doing much more in the future,” Braswell said. Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Jaynie Gonzalez
Above: MILITARY MENTORSHIP: Clarke Central High School Army Instructor Sergeant First Class Donald Hollman stands in his office in the JROTC building on Feb. 10. Hollman has used his past experiences in the military to make an impact on his students. “I see the kids that I've taught blossom from ninth grade to when they graduate (and) go off to college, a trade school or into the workforce. I see a lot of growth, and the most rewarding thing about that is when a kid comes back and says thank you for pushing me in ways that you know other people or other teachers didn’t,” Hollman said. “We value our cadets and we push them. Sometimes we push them to the extreme where it’s almost frustrating for them, but that builds character, that builds patience." Photo by Aza Khan, story by Jaynie Gonzalez
Above: LEAVING A LEGACY: Portrait artist and Clarke Central High School Class of 2015 alumnus Ronnie Hull stands in the Media Center Courtyard on Feb. 16. Hull has been a professional artist since 2015 and has worked for many years on leaving his mark on the Athens community. “I’m aiming towards doing something historic, something that can't be moved… something permanent that will represent my legacy,” Hull said. “There was no one like me doing the things that I do how I do it, so I look forward to inspiring a whole new generation. No one really inspired me, God gave it to me and I just ran with it.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Abigail Holloway
Above: LASERLIKE FOCUS: Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Robbie P. Hooker stands in the Clarke Central High School Courtyard on Feb. 21. As a principal and now as superintendent, Hooker has focused on the literacy of CCSD students. “As you look at our stats across Clarke County, 66% of our elementary students are two to three grade levels behind. We have to stop, pause and say, ‘Do we have the right materials or the right programs that we're using to educate our students to better or to improve our reading scores? What do we need to do correctly?’” Hooker said. “We have tons of programs, but when was the last time they've been evaluated to see their effectiveness? And how do we evaluate that not only based on what teachers say, but looking at the results from our students? So we're working on that, as well.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Cooper Jones
Above: GIVING BACK: Clarke Central High School Class of 2012 alumnus Marquez Williams, who played football collegiately and professionally before embarking on a career as an entrepreneur, sits in Clarke Central High School's Billy Henderson Stadium on Feb. 8. Williams has often volunteered his time in the community, providing free youth football camps during the summer. “I always wanted to come back and be able to just give back to those kids,” Williams said. “I played Youth League football here, so it's always been just near and dear to my heart to give back and to spend some days with those kids.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Cooper Jones
Above: LEARNING THE COMMUNITY: Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School counselor Veronica Johnson sits in the Clarke Central High School main lobby on Feb. 9. Throughout her 18 years as a counselor at BHL, Johnson has put worked to give students a place where they feel heard. “Students need an opportunity to be able to have a space where they have a voice. I give kids the opportunity to vent because sometimes they just need it to get that frustration off their chest,” Johnson said. “For example, a couple of years ago, we had a walkout from some of our female Hispanic students. I sat with them, probably about two hours, just listening to what they thought was wrong.” Photo by Isabelle Duncan, story by Abigail Holloway
Above: COMMUNITY-DREAMS: Clarke County School Board Member Linda Davis sits in the Clarke Central High School Media Center on Feb. 10. Throughout her lifetime, Davis’ goal has been to unite and uplift her community through impactful actions that brought people of all ages together. “I think what's most important is (that) I try to do work that is meaningful and that has some measurable results,” Davis said. “I don't have any dream or ambition to think that there's (only) one way to define our community, and so people come together around things they care about.” Photo by Lucas Donelly, story by Ciyana Ramos
Above: CHALLENGING SOCIETY’S STANDARDS: Georgia Gwinnett College junior Edmund Davis stands outside the Clarke Central High School Ceremonial Entrance on Feb. 9. After graduating from CCHS in 2019, Davis went on to become both a substitute teacher at CCHS and a fine arts student at GGC, which allowed him to learn about how and where Black Joy and Excellence manifest. “Black Joy is really the celebration of Black people achieving in America, specifically. But also, we have to acknowledge that a bunch of Black people who do good stuff, or do achieve, and do ‘Black Joy’ (aren’t) publicized because (that Black Joy is) not from a standpoint in which we would want Black Excellence to be viewed in,” Davis said. Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Luke Shannon
Above: LEAPING TO SUCCESS: Clarke Central High School College Adviser Gabriel Smallwood works in CCHS Media Center on Feb 13. Smallwood’s experience in counseling students taught him ways to use Black Joy and Excellence in his work with students. “Black Excellence and Black Joy means giving back to your community and giving back to yourself, too. Of course, there (are) obstacles that can be in the way sometimes (when) trying to achieve your dreams,” Smallwood said. “I always tell (students that) there's more (that) you can do. There are opportunities out here. It's up to you to go and get it. I can connect you to them, but it's up to you to take that leap forward.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Luke Shannon
Above: YEAR-ROUND HISTORY: Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School Principal Dr. Makeba Clark sits in front of a mural representing the founding of BHL on Feb. 10. As an educator, Clark believes that Black History Month celebrations shouldn’t be limited to one month, but taught year-round. “It's so important that (Black) history is taught throughout the year so that everyone is aware of very important events that have happened and that have affected not just African Americans, but everyone, and how laws have changed and evolved because of (people) standing up for what was right and demanding that everyone is treated fairly and equally.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Angel Tejada
Above: ROLE MODELS: Credit recovery teacher Sharon Barnes sits at her desk in Room 245 on Feb. 20th. For Barnes, her parents' impact on her life has been inspirational. “I think my parents were my biggest influence. Both my parents are deceased now, but my mother was born in 1926 and my father was born in 1919. So they talked to me about things that they experienced, things that they would have liked to have done and (that) they weren't allowed to do just because of their race,” Barnes said. “My biggest role models were my parents because they went through some things that I would never imagine that I would be able to deal with.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Angel Tejada
Above: SMITH VISION: East Athens Development Corporation Executive Director Fred Smith sits in the Clarke Central High School Media Center on February 14. After graduating from CCHS in 1971, Smith witnessed the economic stunting of Black families caused by Jim Crow and dedicated his career to helping those living in poverty. “I recall during the time when I worked in the Labor Department, there was the recession of 2007 and 2008 when things were really, really, really bad in terms of employment. I remember that we worked very hard to create opportunities to work with employers to do what we can to help people to get jobs and also to get training,” Smith said. “That's what the East Athens Development Corporation is about, helping people move up the economic ladder.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Ma’Kiyah Thrasher
Above: SNAPPY SHOOTER: Athens photographer and Gaines Elementary School Afterschool Program co-coordinator Harold Faison admires cameras in front of Clarke Central High School on Feb 9. Faison’s passion for photography motivated him to start his own business and influenced his time as Family Engagement Specialist at Whitehead Road Elementary School. “I first started just taking pictures that I just wanted to take pictures of. People were like, ‘Wow, these pictures look really nice. I wanna book a photoshoot with you. I didn’t get into it for the money at first, it was just ‘cause I loved the arts. And it just turned into a business and from there I’ve just built it on,” Faizon said. “I had my own photography business, so I would naturally take pictures all the time when I was at Whitehead Road.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, story by Aliyah Wymbs
Above: ACHIEVING ARCHIBALD: Former Athens Tutorial Program Director and substitute teacher Barbara Archibald sits in the Clarke Central High School Media Center on Feb. 8. Archibald, who retired after 40 years in the workforce, continued to find ways to engage in the community post-retirement. “I didn't feel that I had done enough (because) there's always work to be done. There’s a song by Nina Simone that says, ‘I wish I could do all the things I'm longing to do. I wish I could give like I'm longing to give,’” Archibald said. “And that’s how I feel. I still feel this way on so many days.” Photo by Aza Khan, story by Aliyah Wymbs