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BREAKING NEWS: Georgia Supreme Court rules that Cobb County’s 3000 absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. today to count

admin 6 days ago

It’s a wrap for early voting, 4 million ballots cast in Georgia

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Cobb County Government announced that Voter Guides they issued contain incorrect polling locations for some voters

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Benjamin Mays students learn about financial industry careers during Credit Union visit

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Shelia Edwards
Michael Murphy
Terry Alexis Cummings
Guest Columnist

In addition to being SPOTLIGHT’s Publisher and CEO, Shelia Edwards is an Innovative and accomplished communications professional with broad experience in public relations, marketing, community outreach, governmental affairs, and business development.

Shelia has been very active in local and national civic affairs, and is well versed in developing and disseminating key messages to elected officials and the community at large. Her contributions over the past 20 years have focused on critical roles in coordinating relationships, programs, financial support, and volunteer engagement activities between companies and community-based organizations.

Shelia’s community service includes serving on the board of Directors of the Sadie Grice Funny Scholarship Foundation, formerly serving on the Board of a community group and an airport advocacy group for minority businesses, chairing a transition committee for a County government official, serving on the Transition Task Force for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office; and a representative to the Business Council of the United States Conference of Mayors and the National Conference of Black Mayors. Since 1999, Shelia has served as a co-chairperson for the Mayor’s Masked Ball, an annual fundraising gala in Atlanta that raises millions to benefit the United Negro College Fund.

Shelia spent years with engineering giant Lockheed Martin working in the internal communications department on the space shuttle program at Kennedy Space Center. She now runs her own communications company.

A man who needs no introduction to the communities of South Cobb is Michael Murphy, former Special Assistant to the Chairman of Cobb County.

A gentleman who needs no introduction to our community is Michael Murphy, a trusted voice and advocate of South Cobb for years.

Michael managed community issues and served as liaison to several agencies, organizations, and boards around the entire county as Special Assistant to the former Cobb Chairman. Departing his role with the county at the end of 2020, Michael left with respect and appreciation earned from the high caliber of public service he provided to the residents of Cobb. The great news for our community is that he has not gone far. As a Columnist for SPOTLIGHT, readers can look forward to Michael’s unique perspective, endowed intellect, and brilliant wit on topics that impact our communities, our families, and our quality of life.

SPOTLIGHT is honored to have Michael’s talents on board as he gives it to us “Straight from the MIKE.”

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Attorney and retired federal law enforcement officer Terry Alexis Cummings lives in Mableton with her husband John

Attorney and retired federal law enforcement officer Terry Alexis Cummings grew up with a love of learning and was greatly influenced by her grandfather, Dr. Chancellor Williams, a Professor of African Studies at Howard University, and the author of The Destruction of the Black Civilization.

During Terry’s tenure at the Department of Justice, she represented the government in cases involving complex constitutional and prisoner rights issues. Prior to her retirement, Terry began coordinating job fairs for ex-offenders because she believed that “we all win when everyone is a contributing member of society”.

A Mableton resident, Terry was in the inaugural class of Cobb 101 Citizens Government Academy and worked closely with the former Cobb County D.A. and Commission Chair to coordinate Cobb Restore 360, the first record restriction and job fair event ever held in Cobb County. Readers can look forward to Terry offering both a legal and law enforcement perspective as a columnist for SPOTLIGHT.

A Marine veteran. Terry grew up with a love of learning and was greatly influenced by her grandfather, Dr. Chancellor Williams, a Professor of African Studies at Howard University, and author of The Destruction of the Black Civilization.

Terry retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons where she represented the agency and staff in cases involving complex constitutional and prisoner rights issues. Prior to retirement, Terry began coordinating job fairs for ex-offenders because she believed that “we all win when everyone is a contributing member of society”.