The 303 Coalition Team
Margaret P. Hooker
Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, Margaret moved to Atlanta, GA in 2001; she has always lived in South Atlanta's Summerhill neighborhood. "After I began attending community meetings, as well as learning the history of the area, I understood why our neighborhoods look and function the way they do." The residents and communities of Neighborhood Planning Unit-V deserve the same services and Quality-of-Life the more affluent neighborhoods take for granted.
Margaret earned a Bachelors of Science degree from Ohio University, Athens, OH in 1985.
Catherine Prather-Williams
Catherine Prather-Williams currently serves as Treasurer for the 303 Community Coalition, Inc. and serves as a board member. She is a native of Atlanta, and has lived in the NPU-V Community for over 20 years. She has a son and a daughter. The picture is me with my grandson Clayton Hunter.
Catherine works for Georgia State University and has been there for over 4 years. As a Community Health Worker, she enjoys her job and has a passion and vision for community. She enjoys learning new and innovative things. I guess you could say that is one of her hobbies! The best word to describe her: Steward. Whenever you are in the NPU-V area (Summerhill, Peoplestown, Adair Park, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh and Capitol Gateway) stop by and pay her a visit and she'll give you a tour! Her office is located Southside Medical Center, 1046 Ridge Avenue, SE Atlanta, Georgia 30315. Wow! She lives, works and plays in the same community!
Chandra D. Harper-Gallashaw
Chandra D. Harper-Gallashaw was born January 9, 1968 in Highland Park, Michigan where she attended Highland Park grade schools. In 1986, Ms. Gallashaw graduated from Cooley High School on Detroit's west side. Gallashaw also earned an Associates Degree from Detroit Business Institute in 1989 (Legal Secretary). In 1997, Gallashaw co-founded the Sisters Action Team located in northeast Atlanta community of Vine City. There, Gallashaw began engaging with the community and its issues. In 2005 Ms. Gallashaw moved to the community of Pittsburgh (southwest Atlanta), where she is very active with the Atlanta Public School System.
In April 2007, after one of her children was assaulted in a vacant property, Ms. Gallashaw got involved with the Dirty Truth Campaign; persistent advocacy resulted in demolition of the property. Says Gallashaw, "Public Safety in Pittsburgh has increased-especially for the children". Ms. Gallashaw is a member of the Public Safety Board and Neighborhood Watch for Pittsburgh Community Improvement Association (PCIA). She is also the Executive Director of a grassroots non-profit, Pittsburgh Historic Society, Inc. which services children and seniors in the NPU-V communities.
Columbus Ward, Jr.
For more than 35 years Columbus Ward, Jr. has dedicated his life to community service; involving himself in work aimed at improving the lives of Peoplestown residents, as well as similar communities in South Atlanta. Columbus was born in south Atlanta, raised in the Peoplestown community. He witnessed firsthand friends, neighbors and relatives whose lives were devastated by housing decline and destruction. Grateful and often reminded of the many people who invested in his life, Columbus vowed to do the same for others; for more than two decades Columbus served as a forceful advocate for the poor, elderly and indigent, as well as a mentor to youth.
As a child during the 1960's Columbus witnesses the Capitol Avenue Riot and participated in a protest by lying down in the street and raising his fist in support of leaders. Having experienced the pain of teargas, Columbus' commitment to community involvement was solidified. As a youth Columbus served as the President of the Senior Teenager Program at Emmaus House; he participated in a number of protest demonstrations, lock-ins, sit-ins, and helped integrate the Atlanta Public Schools.
Robert Watson
Robert Watson has a strong commitment to service. He has a drive to serve humanity and assist in achievements that benefit people. He brings a solid background in service-oriented projects, such as community development, community economic development, and neighborhood revitalization. He has managed major community development projects in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for neighborhoods within the inner city with diverse populations.
After relocating to Georgia over ten years ago, he and his family settled in the Summerhill/Peoplestown area of Atlanta. He then connected with a relatively small and unknown group, called the Dirty Truth with whom he shared a major concern: the staggering number of vacant and abandoned properties located within the Summerhill, Peoplestown, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh areas; and the negative effect these properties have on the community. Over the past 10+ years he has established working relationships with individuals, organizations, businesses and others who share the common goal of community development and success.
A major in Business Administration at St. Josephs College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, combined with 25+ years of first-hand experience in various stages of community development allows Robert to talk the talk because he can walk the walk!