ATLANTA – State Representatives Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia), Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) recently participated in the Georgia Economic Empowerment Summit on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Savannah Technical College. These legislators served as special guest speakers for this summit, which was hosted by State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah).
“This summit was a critical event to educate the public, elected officials and local stakeholders with information on multiple ‘deserts’ and inequities in funding for underserved and under-resourced areas,” said Rep. Davis. “With assessing the root cause, we have an increased chance in drafting legislation that would provide a viable solution and corrective action plan.”
“Our time spent in Savannah for the Economic Empowerment Summit was a great opportunity to share the data regarding the various ‘deserts’ identified in our state with business and community leaders, as well as constituents,” said Rep. Carter. “It was very impactful, and this data will allow us to develop effective solutions to address these issues. It also gives us an opportunity to expand the reach of socially responsible business leaders. We are well on our way for Georgia being the number one place to live.”
“The Economic Empowerment Summit was the beginning of greatness in Chatham County,” said Rep. Scott. “We were able to show elected leaders, financial institutions and constituents the disparities in banking and credit access, health care and pharmacy access, as well as food insecurities among different local zip codes. The summit left both residents and officials feeling eager about opportunities to make changes locally. I am excited about what is to come from this amazing summit.”
The Georgia Economic Empowerment Summit focused on educating the community, elected officials and stakeholders on the “deserts” that adversely affect underserved and under-resourced areas throughout Georgia. The summit also provided opportunities and resources for career and economic development.
“Savannah is a first step to spreading awareness about these issues,” said Rep. Schofield. “I am proud we are educating and engaging with elected officials, financial institutions, community leaders and people in Savannah to develop solutions to the practices that have a longstanding history of negatively impacting under-resourced communities by zip codes.”
Reps. Carter, Scott and Davis were joined by Dr. Rickie Keys to discuss the lack of access to banking and credit, pharmacies, as well as food insecurities/food deserts. They also highlighted potential funding inequities that they would like to see addressed, and these legislators discussed Georgians For Resource Equity (GFRE), an organization that specializes in these issues. More information about GFRE can be found at https://gfre.org/.
The summit featured vendors from various companies, businesses and government departments near the Savannah area. Several government agencies and programs that support economic development were promoted during the event, including the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Georgia Dream Program, Georgia Rental Assistance Program and the Georgia Department of Revenue. This event also provided information about career opportunities, and free gas cards were given to the first 50 attendees.
The Georgia Economic Empowerment Summit was the first event for Rep. Gilliard’s “Family Empowerment Week.” This series of events aims to provide Chatham County families with resources to empower them to overcome financial instability. For more information about “Family Empowerment Week,” please click here.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton and Henry counties. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, Science and Technology and Special Rules committees.
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Natural Resources & Environment, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation and Science and Technology committees.
Representative Doreen Carter represents the citizens of District 92, which includes portions of Rockdale and DeKalb counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2015 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Education, Industry and Labor, Small Business Development and Special Rules committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 60, which includes portions of Clayton and Fulton counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves on the Health & Human Services, Interstate Cooperation, Information and Audits and Small Business Development committees.
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