ABOUT US
LEARN MORE
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Based in Southwest Georgia, comprised of member citizens and organizations which support the organization’s mission.
Our goal is to facilitate Southwest Georgia’s rise from the bottom of the state to the top of the list of quality of life metrics by empowering individuals and revitalizing communities through rural revitalization, community organizing, education, coalition-building and advocacy in the areas of human and civil rights and social justice, and by increasing citizen engagement in the democratic processes of our state.
We mobilize people and resources to improve the well-being, quality of life and political power of marginalized Southwest Georgians.
SOWEGA RISING
COALITION
A NON-PROFIT. NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION
Our Mission
Our Vision
We will empower the citizens of SOWEGA to shape the future of our state so that every Southwest Georgian has equal opportunity to reach their fullest potential and achieve the highest possible quality of life and well-being.
Board Directors
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
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Sherrell Byrd is a native of Albany, Georgia and has spent the span of her career building her expertise in the areas of event planning... Read more
Sherrell Byrd
Co-Founder and Co-Chair
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Co-Funder and Emeritus Board Member
Dedrick Thomas
Co-Founder and Board Member Emeritus
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Co-Chair for SOWEGA Rising and Coordinator for 9 to 5 Georgia and Interim President, Albany Dougherty NAACP
Amna Farooqi
Co-Chair
BETTER COMMUNITIES
We seek to make our communities better, more just, and more peaceful.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Community Says
Sowega Rising has transformed our community through their relentless dedication to social and environmental justice.
Jane Doe
Community Member
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Sowega Rising has transformed our community through their relentless dedication to social and environmental justice.
Jane Doe
Community Member
Sowega Rising has transformed our community through their relentless dedication to social and environmental justice.
Jane Doe
Community Member
Our Goals
A curriculum administered in local public school systems or after school as a program that educates and mobilizes young students in SOWEGA.
To create a pipeline of young organizers from SOWEGA who feel empowered to make change.
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To build a political home for people in SOWEGA who want to see their communities change for the better.
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Treasurer for SOWEGA Rising and Founder, Southwest Georgia Historical and Cemetery Preservation Society.
Michael Harper
Treasurer
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Board Member and Director of GEAR Up for the Dougherty County School System.
Dr. Alana Simmons
Board Member
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Board Member and City Councilman for Camilla, Georgia and Admissions Department at Albany State University.
Corey Morgan
Board Member
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Secretary of SOWEGA Rising and Veteran, United States Marine Corps.
Maggie Boxey
Board Member
Our Programs
High School Youth Organizing Institute
A curriculum administered in local public school systems or after school as a program that educates and mobilizes young students in SOWEGA.
Organizing Trainings
We will run trainings for organizations and leaders on basic community organizing theories, skills (story-telling, one on one’s), leadership development, racial justice, strategy, and tactics.
Albany State University Youth Organizing Institute
A version of the curriculum for ASU students to foster a deeper sense of community between the university and rest of Albany.
Our Funders
Our Partners
