On November 18, 2021, State Senator Lester G. Jackson III, Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, State Senator Donzella James, along with a host of other legislators, family, colleagues and friends helped celebrate Michelle Taylor Willis Day at the Capitol in the State of Georgia. It was a beautiful afternoon in the Capital city when Lt. Governor Duncan presented Michelle with the Georgia Senate Ambassador coin, after a resolution and proclamation had been awarded to her in the Governor’s office in recognition of her work in the media industry, her volunteerism, her activism, her advocacy for the birthing rights of woman and the branding of SoFu, which represents the eight cities that comprise the South Fulton community in Metro Atlanta.
For over 20 years, Michelle has worked hard to create a lane for herself as a female entrepreneur, but more importantly, for small businesses, for which she has created an entire media brand dedicated to giving small businesses a voice. Whether it’s her radio show on 1100 AM (also available through the IHeart network) or TV show which is aired through the VTV Network on Amazon Fire and Roku, her magazine, SoFu Lifestyle or her media buying resources which include access to billboards, companies of all sizes can work with Michelle and her team to create a strategy for giving their company visibility and access to a larger consumer pool.
Her volunteerism is also important and one of the reasons why she was recognized for her prestigious honors. Most notable is her partnership with Morris Brown College. Working alongside the college’s New President, Kevin E. James, Michelle has been pulling from all her resources to help support the rebirth of the college.
Recently, she hosted the inaugural year of the SoFu Legends Ball in support of the United Way of Greater Atlanta. Her unwavering support of the organization spans several years and includes being the lead for many campaigns and initiatives all for the betterment of United Way and what they offer their beneficiaries.
Activism and advocacy means fighting for those who cannot or need assistance in fighting for themselves. One such occurrence, which was highlighted during her day long celebration at the Capitol, was when Michelle fought to make sure hospitals in Atlanta and Georgia offered water births for parents who wanted that option in the safety of a hospital, even in vaginal birth after cesarean section. Many officials believed that water births were a private choice and not in the normal realm for birthing so it should not be allowed in the hospital setting. Michelle believed otherwise and worked with stakeholders to change this perception and ultimately the standard.
There are over 10 million people in the State of Georgia and during the on each day of the 40 day session that the State Legislature, they try to celebrate a different extraordinary Georgian. Gagnant Media is the name Michelle chose for her business because she wanted to make media available to everyone so that everyone can WIN! Bringing people together, working for others and believing that she is great because the people around her are great is why she was selected and why she will continue to win. This selfless pursuit of the greatness of others, the support of her husband and four boys and remembering the hustle of her mother that continues to be her strength are the reasons why there is a Michelle Taylor Willis Day.