One of the newest cities in Georgia is making history as the first to ever have its whole criminal justice system run by black women.
Indeed, the year-old City of South Fulton — now the fifth largest in the state — has a lack female chief of police (Sheila Rogers), chief judge (Tiffany Carter Sellers), court administrator (Lakesiya Cofield), chief court clerk (Ramona Howard), city solicitor (LaDawn Jones) and city public defender (Viveca Famber Powell). Many of these women are the inaugural appointees of these roles, according to the Atlanta Voice.
“Our goal is to ensure justice for everyone,” says Judge Sellers. “However, as African American women we are sensitive to the history of criminal justice in our country. We want to be an example of how to do things right.”
The progressive nature of the city’s criminal justice system moves beyond the key players; it also shows up in the system’s programs. These include guaranteed access to a public defender and a robust and well-integrated diversion program.
“In the City of South Fulton’s justice system, African-Americans are far less likely to be arrested, prosecuted, or detained in custody because of incidents like those seen in recent news,” the Atlanta Voice writes. “These assurances help law-abiding citizens, particularly African-Americans, feel less tense when they see blue lights in their rearview. “
Read more about these amazing women and their transformational milestones here.