Reverend Maressa Pendermon is an ordained reverend in the Unity Fellowship Church Movement (UFCM) currently serving as senior pastor of Unity Fellowship of Christ Church, Greater Atlanta. She also works as a hospice chaplain, providing spiritual care for individuals living with a terminal diagnosis and their families.
In addition, Reverend Pendermon is a community strategist as well as trained facilitator. She is passionate about social justice issues and peace building. She does her work in community with traditionally marginalized and low wealth individuals and communities from a human rights perspective; and through a womanist theological lens. A native of Boston, Massachusetts where she was raised in public housing, Maressa has been involved in advocacy, organizing and coalition building since the early 80”s. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Albany State University; a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida, College of Law; and a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She also holds facilitation and organizational development certifications from the Interaction Institute for Social Change in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Makeisha Robey is a local Atlanta community leader who is also an Atlanta Land Trust board member, small business owner, and teacher. Makeisha understands the power of community and the necessity of healthy relationships between youth and adults. Her new business, The Happy Black Parent, creates a way for parents and kids to play and creatively express themselves in a joyful environment.
Dr. Sonya Strider is a public health professional who is employed by one of the nation’s leading public health agencies. Dr. Strider is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia, and Walden University where she has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology, and a Ph.D. in Community Health and Health Education. Dr. Strider is passionate about people and committed to helping communities obtain optimal health outcomes. She is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and the owner of A Place 4 The Heart, L.L.C where she uses the Grief Recovery Method to help women heal from grief and loss of all kinds. She is the founder and CEO of Ginny’s P.O.R.C.H Foundation, L.L.C, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of single mothers.
Dr. Strider is a member of the Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and volunteers regularly in the community.
My Name is Reggie Johnson. I’m a Community Marketing Rep for CareSource, as well as the board Chair for the DeKalb Initiative for Children and Families. I’m an Atlanta native and an alumnus of the DeKalb Neighborhood Leadership Institute with over 30 years of experience of community work: including doing breast cancer outreach with Emory University to help uninsured women get mammograms at the Grady Comprehensive Breast Care Center, the South Candler Neighborhood Advocates, NAACP, Friends of Sweet Auburn, Fathers Matter ATL.
I’m looking forward to opportunity to work on this advisory council and make a real impact with the people.
representatl.org 