Every turn seems to lead Ann Hill Bond back to Collier Heights—from her first tour of Frederick Douglass High School to learning about the neighborhood built on history from her Atlanta Voice colleague.
“There was a sense of magic and pride,” Ann says about her first introduction to the historic high school where so many famous Atlantans attended.
Ann is a Jamaican-born, Ghana-raised, Southern Black-reared woman writer who continued to learn more about Westside Atlanta and Collier Heights after her first introduction to the community. In 2019 and 2021, she was the licensee and producer of TEDx Collier Heights, which engaged residents from the Bankhead corridor.
When it came to selecting the guest editor for Collier Heights, Ann’s deep connection to the community made her the immediate choice. She has worked with our Community Editorial Board, will help guide the stories, and will work closely with the Fellows to ensure that the voice and spirit of Collier Heights is centered in all our work.
“Our guiding light for our storytelling is clear—to write stories to share the desire for the sons and daughters of Collier Heights to return and see Collier Heights as a place to call home once again.“
Ann Hill Bond, Collier Heights Guest Editor
In additional to her extensive knowledge and work on the Westside of Atlanta, Ann has organized two Tedx Collier Heights events. “Atlanta Influences Everything” was the theme of the first event, held on August 17, 2019 at Frederick Douglass High School. The theme of the second event was “BLACK,” focusing on leadership, culture, colorism, community and more. It was held on September 18, 2021 at Best End Brewery.
To learn more about the August 17, 2019 event click here.
To learn more about the September 18, 2021 event click here.
Dr. Nicole Garner-Scott
Serial Entrepreneur and Financial Consultant
Dr. Nicole Garner Scott is a sought after Money Coach, Certified Financial Educator, speaker, author and serial entrepreneur. Nicole received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University, her MBA in digital entrepreneurship and awarded an honorary doctorate recognized for her work in business. A mother and wife, this native Atlantan has been recognized for her entrepreneurial innovation by the White House under the Obama administration as well as receiving the Mayoral Phoenix award which is the highest awarded bestowed by the city of Atlanta. Nicole has created a socially conscious digital empire that touches millions. Her work as the founder of Amount Financial Services is her contribution to combat the societal constraints that financially limit communities of color. Dr. Nicole Gainer-Scott is an alumni of Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Rashad Richey
Radio Personality and TV News Analyst
Dr. Rashad Richey’s aggressive and opinionated on-air style led him to being voted “Best Talk Radio Personality in Atlanta” by readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for his weekly midday show on News and Talk 1380-WAOK. Rashad is also the Political/Social Commentator for The People’s Station V-103, the nations’ largest urban station. Rashad is also on television as the daily Political Analyst for CBS 46 News and Peachtree TV Atlanta. This year, Rashad was nominated for an Emmy Award for his riveting television coverage. You can also see him as a weekly Progressive Commentator on Fox National News and MSNBC. Beyond broadcasting, Rashad serves as the Chief Editor-At-Large and Sr. Writer for Rolling Out Magazine. As a teenager, Rashad experienced life as a foster child and encountered true despair. This passion sparked the flame that created The Rashad Richey Foundation, Inc., an organization dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth.
Richard Dunn
Culture, Community and Comerce Strategist
Richard Dunn is an Atlanta native, serial entrepreneur, and driver of Atlanta’s arts & culture scene. In 1998, Dunn co-founded Groovement Inc., an artist management and event production company that focused on the soul scene and was the launching pad for the career of four-time Grammy winning vocalist India.Arie, singer/songwriter Anthony David and soul singer Donnie. His entrepreneurial endeavors include, co – owner of Sugarhill an legendary live venue in Underground Atlanta. The Muddy Water Group, a creative services and live concert production/promotion company, and founding partner of the popular Atlanta restaurant Tom Dick and Hank. Richard also serves as the Vice President of Business Development at The Atlanta Voice Newspaper, one of Atlanta’s longest running African-American newspapers founded by his grandfather J.Lowell Ware. Richard is a proud Collier Heights native as well as an Alumni Fredrick Douglass High School.
Zak Wallace
Songwriter and Restauranteur
Zachary Wallace has been a major part of Atlanta’s urban entertainment community. His voice can be heard celebrating Atlanta’s rich Hip-Hop heritage at the top of DJ Greg Street’s popular radio show, offering newcomers and a new generation of fans a history lesson full of Atlanta’s “culture facts”. Zak’s first-hand accounts of Atlanta’s rap culture, as a young songwriter, he partnered with entrepreneur Noonie Lee and mega producer Jazze Pha to launch the boutique record label Sho’Nuff. However, with success came years of bad eating & lifestyle habits. Zak, watched his weight surpass 300 lbs, “Big Zak” realized he needed to make changes and become a leader in communities where healthy eating options were not always readily available. Wallace, started having friends come to his home for beta-testings, preparing delicious meatless plates. After a surprisingly unanimous response, Zak then decided to start Local Green Atlanta in the winter of 2017.
Lisa Cunningham
Producer and Director
Lisa Cunningham is a native of South West Atlanta and entered into film production while attending the University of Georgia. She is a Producer/Director and over the past 25 years has been actively involved in the production community in Atlanta working on over 1500 projects. Her notable career started with music videos where she produced for artists such as TI, Future, Rascal Flatts, Gladys Knight, Faith Evans and Missy Elliott to name a few. Now, with a strong footing in branded digital content, Lisa has produced projects for McDonalds, W Hotels, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, The History Channel and many more. As an influencer, she was selected by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to serve on the inaugural LGBTQ Advisory Board for the City of Atlanta. Her community involvement continues as a philanthropist who devotes her time to several local charities focused on disadvantaged youth and underserved minorities.
Odie Donald
City Management
A native Georgian, Odie Donald II leads the City of South Fulton’s approximately 500 employees in service of its more than 100,000 residents. Donald is a nationally recognized leader in government administration, he serves with the distinction of having been appointed the first City Manager of Georgia’s fifth largest city. Donald is an active civic leader both in his home state and nationally. His volunteer work and community affiliations include serving as Secretary on the Executive Committee for the National Association of State Administrators (NASWA), a member of the Workforce Development Council’s Board of Trustees for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a member of the DC 100 Resilient Cities Executive Cabinet, the DC Career Academy Network (DC CAN), the CTAE Advisory Board for Atlanta Public Schools, and he was a founding member of the Savannah Graduates Executive Council. Odie Donald is a graduate of Georgia State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and an MBA.
Dr. taj anwar baoll
Sociologist, Activist, Farmer, and Doula
Dr. taj anwar baoll is a native Atlantan and descendant of the well-known Perrin Family (South Carolinian geechees who relocated to Atlanta after World War II). Tajhiek Anwar Nicole Quiet Storm Baoll (taj’s full name) is a mother, sociologist, veteran community organizer, activist, farmer, certified holistic doula, direct entry midwife and breastfeeding specialist, business owner, panelist and an initiated/ crowned Iyalosa Obatala. She is also a career paramedic lieutenant with a major metropolitan public safety department, a civil service member in Atlanta; and a blue-collar, working-class champion. Her businesses, events, and co-ops have refined her skills and centered them around the guiding principles of food, clothing, and shelter and access to quality medical care. She credits her parents with imbuing in her an immaculate work ethic and a desire for family greatness.
Dr. Joycelyn Wilson
Anthropologist, Professor of Hip Hop Studies
Joycelyn Wilson is an Assistant Professor of Hip Hop Studies and Digital Humanities in the Black Media Studies cohort, located in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication in the Ivan College at the Georgia Institute of Technology. As an educational anthropologist, Dr. Wilson is an expert in African-American music and performance – with particular interests in contemporary modes of cultural production in the American South and Hip Hop in general, as well as their broad impact on higher education. She is also the founder and CEO of the HipHop2020 Archive and Innovation Lab, an educational resources design studio inspired by the Hip Hop Archive. Dr. Wilson has written for several market-leading publications including FADER, XXL, The Source, Rap Pages, and wax poetics – often introducing budding artists to a wider audience. Currently, she is a music and culture columnist for The Bitter Southerner, where she writes about the history of Atlanta culture.
