Turn Around Columbus’ focus is on saving lives and building futures. Front and center are our Hope Dealers along with staff, board members and partners, donors, supporters, and advisory committee.
All efforts are characterized by looking at the needs and issues differently, an understanding that grassroots, no blame and complain, not waiting on someone else, always moving ahead, keeping what works, adapt or die mission mentality can empower and inspire folks to positive change.
Ronzell and TAC continues this process approach, building and creating new and innovative ways to try and dissolve problems and instill in youth to have faith in themselves to build positive futures. This is action research in practice at the grassroots level.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein
Ronzell Buckner
Founder and Executive Director
Ronzell Buckner is a native son of Columbus, Georgia. His parents and family instilled early on tenacity, faithfulness, honesty and a willingness to improvise and overcome. From an early age, he has not only been a serial entrepreneur having started and grown multiple successful businesses, but also has been a force for finding ways to raise the community up. The community efforts thus far include:
- Taking Back Our Neighborhoods Drugfighting Training
- Turn Around Columbus
- Youth Entrepreneurship
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outdoor Learning Trail
- George Washington Carver Victory Garden and Farm
Mary Rogers
Garden Manager
(Founder Rawson Strong Wrestling and Community Outreach)
Mary has a lifelong commitment and history of working with children and youth. She is the Founder of Rawson Strong an organization focused on preventing youth suicide. Her vibrant spirit and personality keep all the students and visitors entertained and educated on “planting seeds, raising crops and saving lives”. She has coordinated the food donations to elderly residents in public housing and assisted living situations. As manager she helps train and supervise the Hope Dealers in food sales, distribution and operating the Hope Dealers Market.
M.A. Garr
Strategic Planning & Administration
Justin Davis
Website Tech Support
Mahogany Davis
Hope Dealer Supervisor
Andrew Tatum
Hope Dealer Art Coordinator
Made up of individuals TAC considers innovators, leaders, or possess expertise or insight or can offer a unique perspective or input. They also provide TAC representation of stakeholder groups such as law enforcement, small business, education, neighborhoods, community organizations, drugfighters, and others. Individual members are contacted by TAC periodically to provide their perspective, technical assistance, consultation or advice on key questions or issues. The advisory committee never meets as a group and it’s membership changes based on needs and availability. Members are selected from suggestions by TAC board or staff or from recommendations made by citizens. Individuals interested in serving as an advisory committee member can also apply.
Board Of Directors
Christopher Lindsey, President
Mr. Lindsey has had a long and distinguished career in education. He has had a keen an willing eye on how schools and communities can be catalysts for success. Under his leadership G. W. Carver High School has become one of the most modern and technologically advanced campuses in the southeastern U. S.
Sheila Pryor, Vice President and Treasurer
Ms. Pryor has long been a person of action who saw a need and filled it. She has owned and operated her own business for over 15 years
Laura Lowe, Secretary
Retired from operating a retail business she owned for over 20 years. She brings a long list of community contacts and business acumen TAC.
Ed Harbison, State Senator
Senator Harbison has served the 15th District for over 31 years. He is a public relations and advertising consultant, a broadcast journalist and author . His commitment to community is legendary. His leadership, contacts and ability to get things done is exceptional. This past year he served as a member of the Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning. Their final report “encourages the inclusion of an ongoing program similar to The MLK Jr. Outdoor Learning Trail, in Columbus, Georgia, in student’s curriculum statewide. Students should have the opportunity to engage in nature, civics, and gardening as a result.”
Advisory Committee
Linda Robinson, Columbus Against Drugs
Woodie Hughes, 4H Fort Valley State University
Trent Chester, Owner of Chester’s BBQ
Mark Marshal Sr., Ace Hardware
Jeremy Brantley, Muscogee County School District Teacher
Justin Davis, Konduct Coach Learning LLC
Mark Marshall Jr., Carver High School student
Cannon Rogers, Carver High School student
Sureya Z. Hendrick, Principal, Shaw High School
Chira Richardson, Community Volunteer
Greg Countryman, Muscogee County Sheriff
Keith Sims, MercyMed Farm
NeighborWorks of Columbus
Lizzella Dodson, Retired Education Administration
Juanita Hennessey, Business Owner and Community Volunteer
Partners
Aetavia B. Williams, Principal J.D. Davis Elementary
Christopher Lindsey, George Washington Carver High School
Dr James E. Brown, Fort Valley State University
Dr Victor Khan, Tuskegee University
Julio Portillo, M.P.A. Executive Director MidTown Inc.
Lisa L. Walters, Chief Executive Officer Columbus Housing Authority
Gwen Ruff, Columbus Water Works
Executive Director Keep Columbus Beautiful
ABC Metals Recycling
Trent Chester, Owner, Chester’s BBQ
Rebecca Zajac, Executive Director, Dragonfly Trails
Mary Rogers, Rawston Strong Wrestling and Community Outreach
Teen Resource 5
Masters of the Arts Youth Organization
M. A. Garr, III, Turn Around America
Roderick B.Green, Senior Pastor, First African Baptist Church
Gary and Seth Johnson, Owners, ACE Home Hardware
Sara Flora, 2WR + Partners, Architecture Firm
Sheriff Greg Countryman, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Department
Ed Hoffman, REALM Collaborative, Columbus, Ohio
Dave Hawkins, Executive Vice President, Freeman and Associates Construction Company
Supporters
Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office
Columbus Police Department
MidTown, Inc.
Skippers Seafood Market – Deli
Studio 54 Spa and Salon
Fort Valley State University 4H
Tuskegee University
Community Foundation of Chattahoochee Valley
Brad Turner
Muscogee County School District
Dragonfly Trails Inc.
Flat Rock Sand and Gravel
Chester‘s BBQ
J D Davis Elementary
George Washington Carver High Schoo
Crime Prevention, City of Columbus
Keep Columbus Beautiful
Freeman and Associates
Columbus Water Works
Dr. David F. Lewis, Superintendent of Education Muscogee County School District
Donors
Crime Prevention, City of Columbus
Department of Public Health-SNAP ED Program
Galen Shaver & Judy Anderson
Charlie Ray
Ed Hoffman
ACE Home Hardware
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Ed Booth
In-Kind Donors
REALM Collaborative, Ed Hoffman
2WR + Partners Architects
Hecht & Burdeshaw
Fort Valley State University
Flat Rock Sand and Gravel
Skippers Seafood Market – Deli
Studio 54 Spa and Salon
Tuskegee University
Rawston Strong Wrestling and Community Outreach
Volunteers
J.D. Davis Elementary School Students,Teachers and Principal
Success Center
Kenneth B. Walker Residential Home Residents
Carver High School 2021 Football Team
Carver High School FFA
Shaw High School 4 H Program
Frank Steele
Northside High School Honor Society
Shannon Buckner, The Boyz Barber Shop
Muscogee County Extension Service Master Gardeners