Meet Sen. Donzella James: Cobb’s New Advocate at the Gold Dome

Following recent redistricting, Cobb County welcomed a seasoned voice to the Georgia Senate with Sen. Donzella James, D-Atlanta, now representing portions of Mableton, Austell, and Smyrna. With nearly 30 years of legislative experience, James comes to Cobb with a reputation as a steadfast champion of women’s rights, education, and environmental progress.

As she serves Cobb, James brings a rich family history of public service and civil rights advocacy to her role. Her relative, Leroy Johnson, was the first Black senator in Georgia since Reconstruction, inspiring her to continue the family’s legacy.

An Atlanta native, James graduated from Harper High School in 1968 and earned a degree in criminal justice and political science from Morris Brown College, an Atlanta HBCU. A chance meeting during her collegiate years with Shirley Chisholm—the first Black woman elected to Congress—sparked James’ passion for politics. Later, she was afforded the rare opportunity to collaborate with Chisholm to establish the National Congress of Black Women, which solidified her commitment to community uplift.

James also credits civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, as a significant mentor who helped shape her advocacy and leadership journey.

Before entering politics, James used her degree to teach in Atlanta Public Schools and later worked with the Postal Service, grounding her work in the realities faced by Georgia’s working families.

Since succeeding the late Sen. Arthur Langford in 1994, Sen. James has been an active and effective legislator, co-sponsoring or sponsoring more than 400 pieces of legislation. Key accomplishments include:

• Reducing Classroom Sizes: Advocating for manageable class sizes to improve education outcomes.
• Zero Waste Bill: Championing a cleaner environment with innovative waste reduction measures.

Looking ahead, James is focused on addressing critical issues in Georgia including:

• Autism Insurance Coverage: Extending coverage for autism screenings and tests up to age 10, inspired by her grandchild’s diagnosis.
• Medical Testing Legislation: Mandating pre-operative tests for metallic implant allergies, a cause tied to her personal health experiences.
• Homeowner Protections: Combating predatory practices by homeowners associations and corporate landlords.

Newly married, James resides in South Fulton with her husband, Benny Robinson, and enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Previously married to the late Elmo James for 35 years, she is also the proud mother of two children, Brian and Kerry.

With her deep well of experience and passion for advocacy, Sen. Donzella James is poised to serve Cobb County with distinction. Her unwavering commitment to progress and prosperity ensures that the voices of her constituents will be heard, and their needs addressed at the Georgia State Capitol. James is committed to her community’s progress and prosperity.