*Alternate Location* DeKalb County Advisory Roundtable with District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears

Join the Council for Quality Growth's DeKalb County Advisory Roundtable on February 6, 2025 at 8:30 AM to hear an update from District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears. This month's DeKalb Advisory will take place in an alternate location: The Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library at 1282 McConnell Dr, Decatur, GA 30033.

Michelle Long Spears
District 2 Commissioner
DeKalb County 

Born into a poor family in the American South, Michelle's mother, Mary Ann, instilled strong values, a love for community, and a solid ethical code into her at an early age. Out of a difficult upbringing came enlightenment and compassion - for people, place, and planet. The flame of community service was lit and so her journey began striving to keep families and children, as well as our ecosystems and wildlife, from falling through the cracks and getting lost in broken systems. 

Her social sector career began at the YMCA, a nonprofit that exposed her to community challenges ranging from homelessness to health disparities to mental and substance abuse issues. Armed with education and experience, Michelle continued her work with other nonprofits and eventually launched NP Voice, a social impact consulting practice focused on resource development, collaboration building and community engagement in a wide range of issue areas including environment and conservation, health and human services, social justice, and many others. In 2023, Michelle was elected to serve as the District 2 Commissioner on the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. 

Michelle dedicated her life to help others dream big, exceed potential, and acquire the resources required to be successful and prosperous - while remaining grounded in humble beginnings. Michelle graduated from the University of Houston with focuses in sociology and communications. She later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Georgia State University. During the pandemic, she completed a Certificate in Business Management, Ethics, and Finance from Georgia Piedmont Technical College. 

Michelle is a proud alumnus of Leadership DeKalb, Atlanta Regional Commission's Regional Leadership Institute, Leadership Gwinnett, and Forum for the Future's School of System Change. She resides in Brookhaven with her husband - Chris, bonus children - Ryan, Lindsay, and Graham, and four-legged babies - Betsey, Tilly, and Greenie.