SOFU Changemakers 2025
Axel Adams, MBA, Delta Air Lines, Manager External Partnerships
Axel Adam’s love for South Fulton (SoFu area) is embedded in my hope and desire for the area to be cherished and respected by the citizens who live here and those who do not. SoFu has enormous potential for growth, and opportunities in the areas of Real Estate, Housing, Business, and Education. Eyes are upon SoFu and our leaders, and citizens must demand the same respect and attention given to the north side of the city. The playing field is not level and seems as though we pay more for less. He was the first African American elected to his hometown City Council in New Ellenton, SC and the youngest Chief Operations Officer for Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr./Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
“I find that impact is measured by making a difference in the minds of the people you serve, work or live with. I would hope that my work in the areas of Civil Rights, Corporate and Non-Profit/Faith Based organizations has had an impact. Speaking truth to power, standing firm on what is right even if it is not popular, and walking in my faith and not by sight…tends to give me a sense of accomplishment that I find is impactful to me.”
Hannah S. Palmer, Writer
Hannah’s books Flight Path and The Pool is Closed shed light on the overlooked stories of Atlanta’s southside. She helped create a campaign called Finding the Flint to raise awareness of the hidden headwaters of Georgia’s Flint River on the southside of Atlanta, to create a community-led vision for restoration and redevelopment of the river’s overlooked green spaces. This project recently resulted in a $65 million federal grant for parks and trails along the Flint River.
I love South Fulton because it is ecologically rich with creeks and forests and culturally fertile with diverse, welcoming, and vibrant communities.
You can find me at the Atlanta-Fulton County Library every week picking up more books to read.
Yolanda
Yolanda Wimberly, MD, MSC, FAAP, FSAHM, Chief Health Equity Officer at Grady Health System
As a nationally respected and distinguished healthcare and public health leader, educator, and community
advocate, Dr. Yolanda Wimberly brings a dynamic vision to her position as senior vice president and Chief Health Equity Officer at Grady Health System. A board-certified physician in both pediatrics and
adolescent medicine, Dr. Wimberly serves as an adjunct professor of pediatrics at Morehouse School of
Medicine (MSM).
Dr. Wimberly is a deeply committed community advocate. One of her many community initiatives is the
Teen Experience and Leadership Program (TELP), which she developed and implemented. The mission of TELP is to generate teens’ interest in working in the healthcare fields. High school students spend part of their summer at Grady in a professional shadowing experience. Annually, TELP receives over 500 applicants and continues to provide teens an exciting introduction to the medical professions. For those in the community beginning their medical careers, Dr. Wimberly led efforts to develop a business of healthcare internship program at Grady for entry-level healthcare jobs.
Dr. Wimberly’s favorite thing about SoFu is the community itself!
Victor Ragland
Built the largest Coca Cola United Bottling Company facility in the nation - Almost $75m operation located in Union City, Ga.
Michael Hightower, Managing Partner, The Collaborative Firm
Hightower was responsible for key development around Camp Creek Parkway and has contributed and continues to contribute to development in the SoFu region.
He loves the collaboration between the parties to see the growth.
Mack Wilbourne - President at Mack II, Inc
First Black Popeyes Franchisee in an airport worldwide.
Located in Hapeville, Mack II provides vending machines and restaurants at airports like Popeyes, Phillips Seafood, We Juice It, Famiglia.
Contributed millions of dollars to SoFu region in business and philanthropy.
Wilbourne likes to go to the Carter Center Market every Saturday morning for fresh veggies and Fruit. He believes in the motto Work Hard Play Harder.
Mercedes Miller
President
she/her/hers
ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau
Legacy Advertisers
We love our SoFu Lifestyle Advertisers!
Check out what the ones that have been with us for many years have to say!